The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have expressed their shared concerns that revisions to how the government defines extremism could harm both freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and place undue burdens on Britain’s Muslims.
A government webpage that explains the revisions also expresses its concerns for preserving freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
“The lawful exercise of a person’s rights (including freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association, or the right to engage in lawful debate, protest or campaign for a change in the law) is not extremism,” said the page on gov.uk. “Simply holding a belief, regardless of its substance, is rightly protected under law.”
The government added: “Our new definition is narrow and sharper, and provides more specificity on extremist ideologies, behavior, and harms.”
The government’s new definition has come in response to many public pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have occurred since Hamas killed more than 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023.
Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell express their concern that the new definition places too great a burden on Muslim citizens of England. “The new definition being proposed not only inadvertently threatens freedom of speech, but also the right to worship and peaceful protest — things that have been hard won and form the fabric of a civilized society. Crucially, it risks disproportionately targeting Muslim communities, who are already experiencing rising levels of hate and abuse.”
The archbishops agree that “Many of our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters have spoken about feeling unsafe while simply walking down the street, or attending their places of work and worship,” but that is the only clear reference they make to Jewish people’s security.
The archbishops add: “We are concerned — like so many others — by its implications for public life. We join calls for the Government to reconsider its approach and instead have a broad-based conversation with all those who it will affect. The Church of England would be very willing to fulfill part of its historic role by sharing in facilitating that conversation. The UK has a proud history of welcoming people from all walks of life and celebrating diversity. We are a community of communities. Our leaders should cherish and promote that — and pursue policies that bring us together, not risk driving us apart.”
The government’s initiative at redefining extremism has been subject to heavy media criticism, both by The Guardian and by the government-subsidized BBC. The new measure is set to go into effect March 21.
