Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Monday a new strategy to combat extremism in the United Kingdom that would involve suspending passports, shutting down mosques, and sanctioning media outlets that air extremist messages.
The announcement has been met with apprehension from the opposition Labour Party, and even members of Cameron’s Conservative Party have shown skepticism. “Some lawmakers in Cameron’s own party are uneasy at the measures, while counter-extremism experts say the message of militants should be challenged not banned,” Reuters reported.
Cameron’s new measures come at a time when Britain is dealing with radicalism at home and abroad. At least 700 British citizens have joined Islamist groups fighting in Syria since the war started in 2011. Since then, the government has arrested 338 people (including 56 under the age of 20) under anti-terror laws — 157 of whom were linked to groups in Syria.
The new Counter-Extremism Strategy (CES) would allow parents to apply to have children’s passports canceled. This regulation already exists for children under the age of 16, but would be extended to youths under 18. Convicted terrorists would be banned from working with children or vulnerable individuals and individuals suspected of returning from fighting with jihadist groups in Syria or Iraq would be required to take classes addressing their ideology. Meanwhile, mosques where radicals are thought to congregate could be shut down and channels that broadcast extremist messages could face sanctions or penalties.
British Muslim groups are spearheading the campaign against the new CES based on policies they see as discriminatory.
“Whether it is in mosques, education or charities, the strategy will reinforce perceptions that all aspects of Muslim life must undergo a ‘compliance’ test to prove our loyalty to this country,” Shuja Shafi, the Muslim Council of Britain’s Secretary General, told Reuters.
And according to Reuters, an independent reviewer of anti-terrorism legislation named David Anderson warned that such measures could actually backfire, driving members of the Muslim community toward extremism and terrorism.
The Labour Party is already weary of Cameron’s views on the British-Muslim community. Some have said that the Prime Minister’s past comments were divisive and unsettled British-Muslims.
“This summer, David Cameron failed to strike that balance by implying that the whole Muslim community ‘quietly condones’ extremism,” Labour Party official Andy Burnham said. “He should use today’s speech to correct that suggestion and set the right context for the difficult decisions that lie ahead. He should be building bridges with the Muslim community not destroying them.”
“The PM needs to take care to make sure the measures are not heavy-handed,” Burnham said. “If he’s not careful, they could have the opposite effect and fuel resentment, division and a sense of victimization. The government must proceed with the utmost caution and Labour will watch carefully to ensure the correct balance is achieved.”