Under the government's
counter-terrorism strategy, hate speech will be considered a 'priority threat'
in the UK, given fears of growing Islamic extremism and terrorism.
According to Arab News, the British
newspaper Telegraph says that the ministers are preparing to give instructions
to the counter-terrorism staff, in which the authorities will be asked to curb
the activities of those who are involved in any terrorist activity. Promoting
'fear and division' without happening.
According to a former
counter-terrorism official, the directives could prevent police and authorities
from distributing materials to certain extremists on the streets, holding large
gatherings and holding public talks.
The decision came after a review by
the government's anti-extremism commissioner Sarah Khan and former
counter-terrorism policing chief Sir Mark Howley. "Many hate-mongering
extremists continue their activities unabated without engaging in any terrorist
activities," the survey said.
The survey said the extremists were
severely affecting freedom of expression. In this regard, an organization
called 'Cage' has been cited, whose members are supporting violent jihad
abroad.
The review also accuses the group of
trying to label anti-extremism measures as Islamophobia.
However, the government has
reportedly rejected a separate proposal in the survey, asking ministers to
approve the extension of existing punishable offenses to hate speech.
The British newspaper quoted a source
as saying that there would be flexibility in curbing groups and ideologies that
do not meet the definition of terrorism but help create an environment in which
terrorism thrives.
The new strategy would also give
counter-extremism personnel the power to intervene in incidents of hateful
extremism without any direct link to terrorism.
The government's current counter-extremism
strategy is currently focused on preventing people from turning to terrorism.
Authorities also fear that the recent
rise in anti-Semitism in Britain could lead to an increase in Islamic
extremism.
According to the Telegraph, the
ministers have agreed on a new strategy to deal with extremist groups within
the existing law.