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Who has been tasked with drafting the Government’s new Islamophobia definition? All five members of its Working Group have links to Islamist organisations — including the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) — both subject to successive governments’ policies of non-engagement due to their...

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“The public have been kept in the dark.” All five members of the government’s Working Group tasked with drafting an official definition of Islamophobia have links to Islamist organisations — including the Muslim Council of Britain and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), both of which successive governments have maintained a policy of non-engagement with. Our new Director of Policy and Research has exposed these troubling connections in a new investigative briefing. If the government presses ahead with this proposed definition — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — it will chill free speech and silence legitimate criticism of Islam and its practices. Watch FSU External Affairs Officer Connie Shaw on GB News below 👇
2:01

“The public have been kept in the dark.” All five members of the government’s Working Group tasked with drafting an official definition of Islamophobia have links to Islamist organisations — including the Muslim Council of Britain and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), both of which successive governments have maintained a policy of non-engagement with. Our new Director of Policy and Research has exposed these troubling connections in a new investigative briefing. If the government presses ahead with this proposed definition — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — it will chill free speech and silence legitimate criticism of Islam and its practices. Watch FSU External Affairs Officer Connie Shaw on GB News below 👇

The Free Speech Union

61,360 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

🚨 WHO IS DRAFTING THE ‘ISLAMOPHOBIA’ DEFINITION? The Government’s official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will have a chilling effect on free speech. It risks silencing legitimate criticism of Islam and its practices, and deterring people from speaking out about issues such as the grooming gangs scandal and Islamist extremism. So who was tasked with drafting Britain’s new Muslim blasphemy law? In a new report, the FSU’s Director of Research and Policy David Rose reveals that all five members of the Working Group responsible for drafting the definition have links to Islamist organisations. Watch the full podcast episode in the comments 👇
0:50

🚨 WHO IS DRAFTING THE ‘ISLAMOPHOBIA’ DEFINITION? The Government’s official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will have a chilling effect on free speech. It risks silencing legitimate criticism of Islam and its practices, and deterring people from speaking out about issues such as the grooming gangs scandal and Islamist extremism. So who was tasked with drafting Britain’s new Muslim blasphemy law? In a new report, the FSU’s Director of Research and Policy David Rose reveals that all five members of the Working Group responsible for drafting the definition have links to Islamist organisations. Watch the full podcast episode in the comments 👇

The Free Speech Union

36,578 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

🚨📣 NEW BRIEFING An official definition of Islamophobia would be a direct threat to free speech. Last year, Communities Secretary Angela Rayner established a working group to draft one. In a new briefing, our Director of Policy and Research, David Rose, uncovers that all five members of the group have links to Islamist organisations. Even the only non-Muslim member — the chair, former Conservative MP and Attorney General Dominic Grieve — has admitted to taking advice from the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), both organisations with a long record of promoting extreme views. Watch David below and read the full briefing in the comments 👇
1:47

🚨📣 NEW BRIEFING An official definition of Islamophobia would be a direct threat to free speech. Last year, Communities Secretary Angela Rayner established a working group to draft one. In a new briefing, our Director of Policy and Research, David Rose, uncovers that all five members of the group have links to Islamist organisations. Even the only non-Muslim member — the chair, former Conservative MP and Attorney General Dominic Grieve — has admitted to taking advice from the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), both organisations with a long record of promoting extreme views. Watch David below and read the full briefing in the comments 👇

The Free Speech Union

28,590 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

People are rightly worried about the Government’s official definition of Islamophobia — repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility”. In effect, it risks introducing a Muslim blasphemy law via the back door — 18 years after Parliament voted to abolish blasphemy laws. In our latest podcast episode, FSU General Secretary Lord Young of Acton speaks with the FSU’s new Director of Research and Policy, David Rose, whose investigative briefing exposed that all five members of the Working Group drafting the definition have links to Islamist organisations. Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel 👇
0:56

People are rightly worried about the Government’s official definition of Islamophobia — repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility”. In effect, it risks introducing a Muslim blasphemy law via the back door — 18 years after Parliament voted to abolish blasphemy laws. In our latest podcast episode, FSU General Secretary Lord Young of Acton speaks with the FSU’s new Director of Research and Policy, David Rose, whose investigative briefing exposed that all five members of the Working Group drafting the definition have links to Islamist organisations. Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel 👇

The Free Speech Union

35,252 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

The Free Speech Union’s latest investigative briefing reveals that all five members of the Government’s Working Group tasked with drafting the official definition of Islamophobia have links to Islamist organisations. Let’s start with the Chair: former Conservative MP and Attorney General Dominic Grieve KC. The story is extraordinary. For many years after the 9/11 attacks, Grieve made a number of statements that were highly critical of Muslims — at times bordering on the racist — including comments about political corruption among Muslims in his former constituency. He also suggested that some Muslims were seeking to change Britain in ways incompatible with a pluralist democracy, particularly in relation to freedom of expression. So what changed? In 2017, Grieve was appointed to chair a citizens’ commission on British Muslims, which produced a report on the challenges of Islamophobia. Among the advisers he relied on were individuals with concerning backgrounds — including the then-chair of the Muslim Council of Britain, an organisation successive governments since 2009 have pursued a policy of non-engagement with due to concerns about extremism. Another adviser was linked to Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND). A year later, he wrote the foreword to the All-Party Parliamentary Group’s (APPG) proposed report that presented a definition of Islamophobia. Although he insists his views have not changed, the record suggests otherwise. Last year, then Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner appointed him to lead the Working Group tasked with drafting an official definition of Islamophobia — now rebranded as “anti-Muslim hostility”. This definition risks stifling free speech and silencing legitimate criticism of Islam as a religion, its history and its practices. Watch FSU Director of Research and Policy David Rose below 👇 Full episode is available on our YouTube channel.
4:40

The Free Speech Union’s latest investigative briefing reveals that all five members of the Government’s Working Group tasked with drafting the official definition of Islamophobia have links to Islamist organisations. Let’s start with the Chair: former Conservative MP and Attorney General Dominic Grieve KC. The story is extraordinary. For many years after the 9/11 attacks, Grieve made a number of statements that were highly critical of Muslims — at times bordering on the racist — including comments about political corruption among Muslims in his former constituency. He also suggested that some Muslims were seeking to change Britain in ways incompatible with a pluralist democracy, particularly in relation to freedom of expression. So what changed? In 2017, Grieve was appointed to chair a citizens’ commission on British Muslims, which produced a report on the challenges of Islamophobia. Among the advisers he relied on were individuals with concerning backgrounds — including the then-chair of the Muslim Council of Britain, an organisation successive governments since 2009 have pursued a policy of non-engagement with due to concerns about extremism. Another adviser was linked to Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND). A year later, he wrote the foreword to the All-Party Parliamentary Group’s (APPG) proposed report that presented a definition of Islamophobia. Although he insists his views have not changed, the record suggests otherwise. Last year, then Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner appointed him to lead the Working Group tasked with drafting an official definition of Islamophobia — now rebranded as “anti-Muslim hostility”. This definition risks stifling free speech and silencing legitimate criticism of Islam as a religion, its history and its practices. Watch FSU Director of Research and Policy David Rose below 👇 Full episode is available on our YouTube channel.

The Free Speech Union

38,905 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

There are clear political motivations behind the Labour Government’s decision to revive an official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility”. As the 2024 general election showed, traditional Red Wall Labour strongholds are no longer secure. A number of sitting Labour MPs were unseated by pro-Gaza independent candidates backed by an organisation called The Muslim Vote. This group seeks to mobilise Muslim voters in support of national agendas aligned with Muslim causes. The Labour Party is running scared of Muslim voters. Senior government figures such as Wes Streeting and Jess Phillips saw their majorities significantly reduced. They are now using the full weight of a government department to appease a cohort of splintering voters. The consequence will be a chilling effect on free speech and the silencing of legitimate criticism of Islam and its practices. It will also fuel sectarian politics in this country and fan the flames of community tensions. Watch our latest podcast episode with Lord Young and our new Director of Research and Policy, David Rose, below 👇
2:20

There are clear political motivations behind the Labour Government’s decision to revive an official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility”. As the 2024 general election showed, traditional Red Wall Labour strongholds are no longer secure. A number of sitting Labour MPs were unseated by pro-Gaza independent candidates backed by an organisation called The Muslim Vote. This group seeks to mobilise Muslim voters in support of national agendas aligned with Muslim causes. The Labour Party is running scared of Muslim voters. Senior government figures such as Wes Streeting and Jess Phillips saw their majorities significantly reduced. They are now using the full weight of a government department to appease a cohort of splintering voters. The consequence will be a chilling effect on free speech and the silencing of legitimate criticism of Islam and its practices. It will also fuel sectarian politics in this country and fan the flames of community tensions. Watch our latest podcast episode with Lord Young and our new Director of Research and Policy, David Rose, below 👇

The Free Speech Union

28,620 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

“Hopefully after jury trials become the 14th U-turn, the Islamophobia definition will become the 15th”. The government’s official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will have a chilling effect on free speech. The decision to include racialisation and prejudicial stereotyping as a form of anti-Muslim hate is dangerous because it conflates Islam with race. Important conversations about Islam and its practices will be silenced. People will be deterred from legitimately questioning and challenging Islam for fear of being labelled as “Islamophobic”. Even without this de facto Muslim blasphemy law, we already have a culturally functioning definition of Islamophobia. A recent example includes the Conservative MP Rebecca Paul’s important report into the abuse Muslim women face within their own community being buried by the Women and Equalities Select Committee — despite the fact that it took evidence from the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), which the government has a policy of non-engagement with due to its links to extremism. An official definition will make matters far worse. It will also negatively impact those who decide to leave the religion of Islam. This includes FSU member Dheyaa, who fled Iraq, converted to Christianity, and burned a copy of the Quran in protest. He was then arrested and told he had committed a hate crime. Watch Connie Shaw on Talk 👇
3:33

“Hopefully after jury trials become the 14th U-turn, the Islamophobia definition will become the 15th”. The government’s official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will have a chilling effect on free speech. The decision to include racialisation and prejudicial stereotyping as a form of anti-Muslim hate is dangerous because it conflates Islam with race. Important conversations about Islam and its practices will be silenced. People will be deterred from legitimately questioning and challenging Islam for fear of being labelled as “Islamophobic”. Even without this de facto Muslim blasphemy law, we already have a culturally functioning definition of Islamophobia. A recent example includes the Conservative MP Rebecca Paul’s important report into the abuse Muslim women face within their own community being buried by the Women and Equalities Select Committee — despite the fact that it took evidence from the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), which the government has a policy of non-engagement with due to its links to extremism. An official definition will make matters far worse. It will also negatively impact those who decide to leave the religion of Islam. This includes FSU member Dheyaa, who fled Iraq, converted to Christianity, and burned a copy of the Quran in protest. He was then arrested and told he had committed a hate crime. Watch Connie Shaw on Talk 👇

The Free Speech Union

38,618 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

An official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will have a chilling effect on free speech and inflame already fragile community tensions. If the government presses ahead, it risks reintroducing Britain’s blasphemy laws and effectively banning criticism of Islam and its practices. It would also silence discussion of vital issues, including the grooming gangs scandal and Islamist extremism. In a free society, no religion should be afforded greater protection than others or shielded from criticism. We have already seen cases — such as in the West Midlands — where police have capitulated to Islamist extremists. Public services must not be deterred from doing their jobs — especially those responsible for keeping us safe — for fear of being labelled “Islamophobic”. Watch FSU Campaigns Officer Max Thompson explain the dangers of an official definition of Islamophobia 👇
1:27

An official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will have a chilling effect on free speech and inflame already fragile community tensions. If the government presses ahead, it risks reintroducing Britain’s blasphemy laws and effectively banning criticism of Islam and its practices. It would also silence discussion of vital issues, including the grooming gangs scandal and Islamist extremism. In a free society, no religion should be afforded greater protection than others or shielded from criticism. We have already seen cases — such as in the West Midlands — where police have capitulated to Islamist extremists. Public services must not be deterred from doing their jobs — especially those responsible for keeping us safe — for fear of being labelled “Islamophobic”. Watch FSU Campaigns Officer Max Thompson explain the dangers of an official definition of Islamophobia 👇

The Free Speech Union

48,216 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

In 2006, polling showed that 68% of Muslims in Britain think it should be a criminal offence to insult Islam. So far, Britain has chosen a path of appeasement and capitulation to Islamic blasphemy laws. Since Starmer came to power, cases received by the Free Speech Union of people being penalised for criticising Islam or Muslim cultural practices have increased by a multiple of 4. This was before the 'anti Muslim hostility definition' was introduced by Labour. All 5 members, hand picked by Labour, of the working group that came up with the definition have links to Islamist organisations.
2:47

In 2006, polling showed that 68% of Muslims in Britain think it should be a criminal offence to insult Islam. So far, Britain has chosen a path of appeasement and capitulation to Islamic blasphemy laws. Since Starmer came to power, cases received by the Free Speech Union of people being penalised for criticising Islam or Muslim cultural practices have increased by a multiple of 4. This was before the 'anti Muslim hostility definition' was introduced by Labour. All 5 members, hand picked by Labour, of the working group that came up with the definition have links to Islamist organisations.

Connie Shaw

84,518 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

“If you are a school teacher and you are teaching the history of the Muslim conquests, are you going to take the risk of saying that Islam was imposed by the sword? Islam was responsible for massacres that took place across what became the Muslim world? You’re going to be very careful.” An official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will stifle legitimate criticism of Islam, including its history and practices. Though non-statutory, it will be adopted zealously by public bodies, including schools and universities. It will deter honest, open and frank discussion, and risk obscuring the realities of historical events. Watch David Rose on our latest podcast episode 👇
1:02

“If you are a school teacher and you are teaching the history of the Muslim conquests, are you going to take the risk of saying that Islam was imposed by the sword? Islam was responsible for massacres that took place across what became the Muslim world? You’re going to be very careful.” An official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will stifle legitimate criticism of Islam, including its history and practices. Though non-statutory, it will be adopted zealously by public bodies, including schools and universities. It will deter honest, open and frank discussion, and risk obscuring the realities of historical events. Watch David Rose on our latest podcast episode 👇

The Free Speech Union

88,378 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

The official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will make it harder for public institutions to deal with issues such as the grooming gangs scandal, Islamist extremism, gender inequality and violence against women. Additionally, rather than preventing genuine instances of violence and harassment, it will criminalise legitimate debate about Islam and further exacerbate community tensions. As Shadow Equalities Minister Claire Coutinho says in the latest FSU Podcast, there are already laws in place to deal with violence and harassment against any religious group. Rather than waste taxpayers’ money and reintroduce Britain’s blasphemy laws — for Islam alone — the Government should enforce the existing laws. We have already seen the dangers of an Islamophobia definition with the grooming gangs scandal. Many of the councils in which the gangs operated in had adopted the APPG definition. The report into the scandal stated that specifically discussing the grooming gangs constituted an act of anti-Muslim racism. Authorities looked the other way while these young girls were raped for fear of being accused of racism and Islamophobia. Watch Claire Coutinho and David Rose on the latest episode of the FSU Podcast 👇
2:01

The official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will make it harder for public institutions to deal with issues such as the grooming gangs scandal, Islamist extremism, gender inequality and violence against women. Additionally, rather than preventing genuine instances of violence and harassment, it will criminalise legitimate debate about Islam and further exacerbate community tensions. As Shadow Equalities Minister Claire Coutinho says in the latest FSU Podcast, there are already laws in place to deal with violence and harassment against any religious group. Rather than waste taxpayers’ money and reintroduce Britain’s blasphemy laws — for Islam alone — the Government should enforce the existing laws. We have already seen the dangers of an Islamophobia definition with the grooming gangs scandal. Many of the councils in which the gangs operated in had adopted the APPG definition. The report into the scandal stated that specifically discussing the grooming gangs constituted an act of anti-Muslim racism. Authorities looked the other way while these young girls were raped for fear of being accused of racism and Islamophobia. Watch Claire Coutinho and David Rose on the latest episode of the FSU Podcast 👇

The Free Speech Union

10,385 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

In less than a week, Labour’s “anti-Muslim hostility” definition has shown its true colours. Labour MPs have already tried to weaponise this non-statutory definition of Islamophobia to silence the Shadow Justice Secretary for calling out political Islam. Rather than allowing the definition to face scrutiny in Parliament, Labour set up a five-member working group to draft it — all of whom had ties to Islamist organisations. Watch FSU External Affairs Officer Connie Shaw on Talk👇
2:01

In less than a week, Labour’s “anti-Muslim hostility” definition has shown its true colours. Labour MPs have already tried to weaponise this non-statutory definition of Islamophobia to silence the Shadow Justice Secretary for calling out political Islam. Rather than allowing the definition to face scrutiny in Parliament, Labour set up a five-member working group to draft it — all of whom had ties to Islamist organisations. Watch FSU External Affairs Officer Connie Shaw on Talk👇

The Free Speech Union

120,817 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

The official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will be used to suppress legitimate criticism of Islam and its practices. We are already seeing this play out. Less than a week after the Communities Secretary, Steve Reed, published the definition — assuring the public it would not stifle legitimate criticism of Islam — Nick Timothy is facing calls to resign after criticising mass ritual prayer by Muslims in Trafalgar Square. He has been accused of “anti-Muslim hostility” by a Labour MP and reported to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. This is a Muslim blasphemy law by the back door. Today, the Free Speech Union has sent a pre-action letter to Steve Reed, threatening judicial review if the definition and guidance are not withdrawn immediately. This is one of the biggest fights we’ve taken on in our six-year history. Help us stop the Government’s de facto Muslim blasphemy law 👇
1:11

The official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will be used to suppress legitimate criticism of Islam and its practices. We are already seeing this play out. Less than a week after the Communities Secretary, Steve Reed, published the definition — assuring the public it would not stifle legitimate criticism of Islam — Nick Timothy is facing calls to resign after criticising mass ritual prayer by Muslims in Trafalgar Square. He has been accused of “anti-Muslim hostility” by a Labour MP and reported to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. This is a Muslim blasphemy law by the back door. Today, the Free Speech Union has sent a pre-action letter to Steve Reed, threatening judicial review if the definition and guidance are not withdrawn immediately. This is one of the biggest fights we’ve taken on in our six-year history. Help us stop the Government’s de facto Muslim blasphemy law 👇

The Free Speech Union

215,152 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

The FSU has exposed Keir Starmer’s Tufton Street misinformation mafia. The very people demanding new powers to cleanse the internet of “fake news” have been caught spreading it themselves. Watch FSU Director of Policy and Research David Rose on GB News discuss his new briefing 👇
5:11

The FSU has exposed Keir Starmer’s Tufton Street misinformation mafia. The very people demanding new powers to cleanse the internet of “fake news” have been caught spreading it themselves. Watch FSU Director of Policy and Research David Rose on GB News discuss his new briefing 👇

The Free Speech Union

25,607 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Labour's plan to rebrand its 'Islamophobia' definition as 'anti-Muslim hostility' is a GIFT to Islamists and could silence ANY criticism of Islam, including polygamy or child marriage. NCF Senior Fellow Rafe Heydel-Mankoo explodes the govt's position and this serious threat to free speech:
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Labour's plan to rebrand its 'Islamophobia' definition as 'anti-Muslim hostility' is a GIFT to Islamists and could silence ANY criticism of Islam, including polygamy or child marriage. NCF Senior Fellow Rafe Heydel-Mankoo explodes the govt's position and this serious threat to free speech:

The New Culture Forum

24,324 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

📣🚨The Free Speech Union is mounting a legal challenge against the Government over its official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as 'anti-Muslim hatred' — and its appointment of a new 'tsar' to punish people who fall foul of it. This amounts to a Muslim blasphemy law via the back door. The definition is vague and subjective, and will be weaponised to silence legitimate criticism and debate about Islam, Muslims, and Islamic practices and history. The FSU’s General Secretary, Lord Young of Acton, said: “This is the most serious threat to free speech the Government has come up with so far — the only area in which it’s achieving any success. “If we don’t win this fight, tens of thousands of people a year could lose their jobs at the say-so of a Labour-appointed ‘tsar’. It’s dystopian.” Public bodies will adopt this definition — despite it being non-statutory — with the same zeal the police have shown in investigating and recording non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs). It is predicted by one of the drafters of the definition that it could lead to around 20,000 reports of 'anti-Muslim hostility' a year. At present, the number of recorded anti-Muslim hate crimes is around 4,000. In a free society, no religion should be shielded from legitimate criticism. This proposal places one faith above the rest. The Free Speech Union is bringing a legal challenge on two grounds. First, the definition relies on nebulous, legally undefined terms such as “negative and prejudicial stereotyping of Muslims”, making it incoherent and irrational — and ripe for weaponisation. Second, adopting such a definition cuts across legislation already enacted by Parliament and therefore breaches the public law principle known as “occupying the field”. Under this established public law doctrine, new regulations, put in place by ministers, must not replace existing legislation. It is constitutionally unlawful. In this case, the body responsible for protecting Muslims from discrimination is the Equality and Human Rights Commission, not an anti-Muslim hostility 'tsar'. Parliament voted to abolish blasphemy laws 18 years ago. We can't let this Government resurrect them via the back door. This is one of the biggest battles the Free Speech Union has ever taken on in its six years — and we need your help. Judicial reviews are expensive, but this is a fight we felt we had to take on. Donate to our crowdfunder below👇
1:15

📣🚨The Free Speech Union is mounting a legal challenge against the Government over its official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as 'anti-Muslim hatred' — and its appointment of a new 'tsar' to punish people who fall foul of it. This amounts to a Muslim blasphemy law via the back door. The definition is vague and subjective, and will be weaponised to silence legitimate criticism and debate about Islam, Muslims, and Islamic practices and history. The FSU’s General Secretary, Lord Young of Acton, said: “This is the most serious threat to free speech the Government has come up with so far — the only area in which it’s achieving any success. “If we don’t win this fight, tens of thousands of people a year could lose their jobs at the say-so of a Labour-appointed ‘tsar’. It’s dystopian.” Public bodies will adopt this definition — despite it being non-statutory — with the same zeal the police have shown in investigating and recording non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs). It is predicted by one of the drafters of the definition that it could lead to around 20,000 reports of 'anti-Muslim hostility' a year. At present, the number of recorded anti-Muslim hate crimes is around 4,000. In a free society, no religion should be shielded from legitimate criticism. This proposal places one faith above the rest. The Free Speech Union is bringing a legal challenge on two grounds. First, the definition relies on nebulous, legally undefined terms such as “negative and prejudicial stereotyping of Muslims”, making it incoherent and irrational — and ripe for weaponisation. Second, adopting such a definition cuts across legislation already enacted by Parliament and therefore breaches the public law principle known as “occupying the field”. Under this established public law doctrine, new regulations, put in place by ministers, must not replace existing legislation. It is constitutionally unlawful. In this case, the body responsible for protecting Muslims from discrimination is the Equality and Human Rights Commission, not an anti-Muslim hostility 'tsar'. Parliament voted to abolish blasphemy laws 18 years ago. We can't let this Government resurrect them via the back door. This is one of the biggest battles the Free Speech Union has ever taken on in its six years — and we need your help. Judicial reviews are expensive, but this is a fight we felt we had to take on. Donate to our crowdfunder below👇

The Free Speech Union

352,545 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

The Government's official definition of Islamophobia is already having a chilling effect on free speech. South Wales Police went even further, instructing officers to record any incident that went beyond "legitimate" discussion of Islam. But why should a police officer get to decide what constitutes "illegitimate" discussion of a religion in a country without blasphemy laws? The Free Speech Union threatened South Wales Police with legal action unless it withdrew the guidance, and Claire Coutinho wrote to the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The force has now confirmed that it has paused the guidance. The Government's definition is a gold-embossed invitation for public bodies to go even further than ministers in stifling legitimate criticism and debate about Islam. As Claire tells FSU Director of Research and Policy David Rose, if an officer records an incident on the basis that your comments went beyond "legitimate" discussion of Islam, that could appear on an enhanced DBS check and potentially affect your employment prospects. That is effectively the reintroduction of non-crime hate incidents through the back door. There is no democratic mandate for this. Watch the full episode on the FSU YouTube channel 👇
2:22

The Government's official definition of Islamophobia is already having a chilling effect on free speech. South Wales Police went even further, instructing officers to record any incident that went beyond "legitimate" discussion of Islam. But why should a police officer get to decide what constitutes "illegitimate" discussion of a religion in a country without blasphemy laws? The Free Speech Union threatened South Wales Police with legal action unless it withdrew the guidance, and Claire Coutinho wrote to the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The force has now confirmed that it has paused the guidance. The Government's definition is a gold-embossed invitation for public bodies to go even further than ministers in stifling legitimate criticism and debate about Islam. As Claire tells FSU Director of Research and Policy David Rose, if an officer records an incident on the basis that your comments went beyond "legitimate" discussion of Islam, that could appear on an enhanced DBS check and potentially affect your employment prospects. That is effectively the reintroduction of non-crime hate incidents through the back door. There is no democratic mandate for this. Watch the full episode on the FSU YouTube channel 👇

The Free Speech Union

53,917 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Safeguarding protocols — designed to protect children from genuine harm — are being weaponised to silence lawful views that authorities simply disagree with. Connie Shaw cites a recent case in which a teacher was sacked for stating that Britain is a Christian and admonishing pupils for washing their feet in bathroom sinks at a non-religious school. Cases like this will become increasingly common if the government pushes ahead with its official Islamophobia — now rebranded as “anti-Muslim hostility” — definition, which risks stifling free speech and legitimate criticism of Islam. Two things must be made clear: safeguarding should protect children from real harm, not suppress lawful views — and we do not need a Muslim blasphemy law.
4:47

Safeguarding protocols — designed to protect children from genuine harm — are being weaponised to silence lawful views that authorities simply disagree with. Connie Shaw cites a recent case in which a teacher was sacked for stating that Britain is a Christian and admonishing pupils for washing their feet in bathroom sinks at a non-religious school. Cases like this will become increasingly common if the government pushes ahead with its official Islamophobia — now rebranded as “anti-Muslim hostility” — definition, which risks stifling free speech and legitimate criticism of Islam. Two things must be made clear: safeguarding should protect children from real harm, not suppress lawful views — and we do not need a Muslim blasphemy law.

The Free Speech Union

22,048 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

The Government’s official definition of Islamophobia — repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — was published in March. The Free Speech Union warned from the outset that it would have a chilling effect on free speech and stifle legitimate criticism of Islam. The decision to classify prejudicial stereotyping as a form of “anti-Muslim hostility” will also deter people — including public officials — from speaking out about the grooming gangs scandal and Islamist extremism. We also predicted that, despite being a non-statutory definition, it would serve as a gold-embossed invitation for public bodies to produce guidance that goes even further. South Wales Police are now zealously enforcing their own bespoke Islamic blasphemy law, instructing officers to record any conversation that goes beyond what they deem “legitimate” discussion of Islam. Why should police officers be given the power to decide what constitutes acceptable speech about a religion and its followers in a country where blasphemy laws were abolished in 2008? These incidents will be logged as “anti-social behaviour incidents” — the successor to the draconian non-crime hate incident regime. They could appear on an enhanced DBS check and potentially prevent someone from getting a job. The Free Speech Union has written to South Wales Police demanding that this guidance be withdrawn. If they refuse, we have warned that we will seek judicial review. Watch FSU External Affairs Officer Connie Shaw on Talk 👇
1:45

The Government’s official definition of Islamophobia — repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — was published in March. The Free Speech Union warned from the outset that it would have a chilling effect on free speech and stifle legitimate criticism of Islam. The decision to classify prejudicial stereotyping as a form of “anti-Muslim hostility” will also deter people — including public officials — from speaking out about the grooming gangs scandal and Islamist extremism. We also predicted that, despite being a non-statutory definition, it would serve as a gold-embossed invitation for public bodies to produce guidance that goes even further. South Wales Police are now zealously enforcing their own bespoke Islamic blasphemy law, instructing officers to record any conversation that goes beyond what they deem “legitimate” discussion of Islam. Why should police officers be given the power to decide what constitutes acceptable speech about a religion and its followers in a country where blasphemy laws were abolished in 2008? These incidents will be logged as “anti-social behaviour incidents” — the successor to the draconian non-crime hate incident regime. They could appear on an enhanced DBS check and potentially prevent someone from getting a job. The Free Speech Union has written to South Wales Police demanding that this guidance be withdrawn. If they refuse, we have warned that we will seek judicial review. Watch FSU External Affairs Officer Connie Shaw on Talk 👇

The Free Speech Union

15,298 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

An official definition of Islamophobia would have a chilling effect on free speech. It would silence legitimate debate on sensitive matters, such as the grooming gangs scandal. There are already laws in place that protect against religious hatred and discrimination. Watch Lord Young of Acton at our panel discussion ‘The problem with defining Islamophobia’ at the Academy of Ideas Battle of Ideas. The panel included leading opponents to the official definition - Nick Timothy MP, Toby Young, Amanda Spielman and Khalid Mahmood. Link to the full video below ⬇️
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An official definition of Islamophobia would have a chilling effect on free speech. It would silence legitimate debate on sensitive matters, such as the grooming gangs scandal. There are already laws in place that protect against religious hatred and discrimination. Watch Lord Young of Acton at our panel discussion ‘The problem with defining Islamophobia’ at the Academy of Ideas Battle of Ideas. The panel included leading opponents to the official definition - Nick Timothy MP, Toby Young, Amanda Spielman and Khalid Mahmood. Link to the full video below ⬇️

The Free Speech Union

16,624 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten