Tag: FREE SPEECH
UN paper by UAE and UK threatens free speech and dissent
A recent UN resolution pushed by the UAE and UK will likely erode free speech and give states carte blanche to rewrite the definitions of dissent and extremism.
Why Western Governments Hate Julian Assange
From revealing US human rights violations at Guantanamo Bay to Obama’s secret war in Yemen, the arrest of Julian Assange represents an attack on accountability and justice.
243 academics complain of “outrageous interferences with free expression” at universities
A letter sent to the Guardian yesterday signed by 243 academics has complained of what the signatories call “outrageous interferences with free expression” at universities. It refers to the government’s attempt to “silence campus discussion about Israel” in the wake of minister Jo Johnson writing to Universities UK expressing concern…
New Imam Bill makes Islam a Crime
With an upcoming law targeting Muslim imams, preachers and lecturers, Denmark is now leading the way in Europe with far-reaching anti-Muslim laws. The so-called “Imam package” is defined by significant totalitarian features usually seen in the most infamous police states. Are we witnessing the reemergence of totalitarianism in Europe? …
Summary of Our Legal Case Against Prevent
What follows is a summary and some reflections from the four-day hearing at the High Court for the judicial review into the UK Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It was a great educational experience for me personally, after which I am genuinely optimistic and happy—by the Grace of Allah. There were many…
Islam21c feature on BBC Radio 4 on Terrorism, Extremism and the Law
https://soundcloud.com/islam21c/dr-salman-butt-on-bbc-radio-4-on-terrorism-extremism-and-the-law Islam21c Chief Editor Dr Salman Butt was part of BBC Radio 4’s programme, Law in Action, speaking about the mounting community pressure against the government’s counter-terrorism and counter-‘extremism’ strategy. Also on the programme was the architect of Prevent, former GCHQ director Sir David Omand criticising what Prevent has become,…
Manufacturing Islamophobia
As someone who lived in London during part of the IRA bombing campaign I remember the “Keep Calm and Carry On” attitude. I came out of a building on Regents Street one evening, not realising I was in the middle of an area that had been cordoned off by the…
How many extremists does it take to change a light bulb?
How many extremists does it take to change a light bulb? If the Home Secretary, Theresa May were asked for the punchline, she would struggle, not because she doesn’t possess a sense of humour, I’ve heard she has a cracking sense of humour, but because she isn’t able to clarify…
I was wrong; the government’s definition of ‘Extremism’ is genius
Reflections on yet another Counter-Extremism Strategy – Part 1 The government’s new Counter-Extremism Strategy released in a report yesterday has already provoked a barrage of criticism and ridicule. Again. As expected, numerous rational people have been criticising not only its paradoxical and draconian nature, but the increasingly embarrassing lack of…
“Extremism” Disruption Orders: Protecting freedom by removing it
Introduction That those who wish to do you harm lack the competence to carry out their wishes is something that you might pray for. Recently we have noticed an astonishing lack of sophistication among some neoconservative ideologues and politicians, as if a gift from Allāh (subhānahu wa ta’ālā), suggesting that…