Government’s ‘Prevent’ counter-terrorism strategy review criticised
The Governments review of the Prevent strategy into counter-terrorism has been met with strong criticism for its focus on activities in the Muslim community that are not directly associated with violence or terrorism. An article in The New Statesman describes the proposed new approach – of focusing on measures to target what it describes as ‘non-violent extremism’ – as potentially alienating the entire Muslim community in the fight against terrorism. It reports that senior Conservative figures such as Baroness Warsi, the Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, as well as Charles Farr, the head of the office of security and extremism disagree with the approach in the Home Office’s Prevent Strategy.
Farooq Murad, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain said:
“At a time when Muslims in the Middle East resoundingly endorse the universal values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, is there any reason to believe that British Muslims are any different? The latest Prevent strategy seems to think so. For Muslims and public policy, security has become the only consideration on the agenda. It contains the implicit assumption that Muslims are less able to function in an open democracy than other people, more susceptible to totalitarian impulses and that they are more open to be incited to violence. It sends a very negative message to the community and is likely to increase Islamophobia.
“We agree that millions of pounds of taxpayers money – our money – has been wasted in the Prevent strategy, and we welcome the government’s resolve to refocus resources. But if the strategy is anything to go by, diverting money away from one bad idea to another — won’t necessarily accrue the results we all crave for: the eradication of terrorism.”
Isabella Sankey, Director of Policy for Liberty, said:
“The old Prevent strategy left Muslims feeling targeted and all taxpayers wondering where millions of pounds had gone.
But its gravest error was blurring the lines between dissent and criminality and between civil society and security agencies.
This is the danger that must be avoided in future. Block terrorist websites and stop prisons breeding hate by all means, but don’t turn teachers and doctors into spies.”
Responding to its focus on alleged extremism on university campuses, Nicola Dandridge Universities UK Chief Executive said:
“I simply dont recognise this description of universities as being complacent about terrorism…there is complex and fine line to be drawn between unlawful speech that should be banned and views that we do not agree with (but which) we have to challenge”
Nabil Ahmed, President of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) said:
“ FOSIS has consistently taken measured steps to engage with key stakeholders, including members of the government, on the issue of radicalisation on campus…”
FOSIS have invited Theresa May to engage with Muslim students at their national conference, following allegations that Universities and FOSIS are complacent about the threat of extremism on campus.
Aaron Porter, President of the National Union of Students, said:
“Facing up to the challenges that non-violent extremism brings to campus life requires careful suppport and guidance from Government, not wild sensationalism that only serves to unfairly demonise Muslim students. In our experience, groups like FOSIS are part of the solution, not part of the problem.”