The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, including Justin Welby of the global Anglican communion, have expressed concerns over the UK government's planned new definition of extremism, spearheaded by Michael Gove. They warned it could foster more division and disproportionately target Muslim communities. In a letter to the PM, Archbishop Welby highlighted the potential for the new definition to inadvertently restrict the UK's robust freedom of speech. The criticism comes amid broader backlash against the government's counter-extremism strategy, with Muslim activists and organizations voicing opposition, fearing it would vilify innocent individuals and exacerbate community divisions. Additionally, there's concern over Jewish and Muslim people feeling unsafe, suggesting the proposal could worsen community relations. The government's proposal has sparked a debate on the balance between national security and civil liberties, with the archbishops urging a revision of the measures to avoid further targeting of specific communities.
Earlier this week, the archbishops of Canterbury and York urged the government to revise the measures, warning they would “disproportionately target Muslim communities” https://t.co/3Ecfu0CT4Z
Britain wants to define extremism but critics say it risks creating more division https://t.co/JC3pCOqOP8 https://t.co/GFiR1OzFTE
Earlier this week, the archbishops of Canterbury and York urged the UK government to revise the new measures, warning they would “disproportionately target Muslim communities” https://t.co/EwwBx4ZXAM
The UK government's proposal to redefine extremism will "vilify the wrong people" and "risk more division", says a coalition of Muslim organisations https://t.co/BiLSd7OkSa
Muslim activists speak out against UK government redefining 'extremism'. https://t.co/mhAZMkMq8Y https://t.co/1q0iK72LBv
NEW: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the global Anglican communion, on Wednesday warned that a new definition of extremism set to be unveiled by the UK government risks stoking division. https://t.co/TxBsXqt71C
Warning of a “growing division” between communities in the UK, in which Jewish and Muslim people had both spoken of feeling unsafe, the archbishops said the definition - part of a new counter-extremism strategy - risked making the situation worse https://t.co/6Qhhb7gWxj
The Archbishop of Canterbury has criticised Michael Gove's planned redefinition of extremism. Tap below to read more: https://t.co/YPz2jtqGNT
The Archbishop of Canterbury warned in a letter to the PM on Tuesday that his new extremism definition risks 'disproportionately targetting Muslim communities' https://t.co/Mu4R9owdtC
"Archbishops claim Muslim communities at risk over new extremism definition "Bishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell release statement as Michael Gove prepares to unveil new extremism strategy" https://t.co/05nw900Vzp
The head of the Anglican church in the UK has added his voice to a growing clamour of criticism over the government’s plans to launch a new definition of extremism, warning that the measure risks “disproportionately targeting Muslim communities" https://t.co/e7ZGrKJIzc
Archbishops warn UK extremism definition will target Muslim communities https://t.co/22EoeLONzN
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have warned the Government’s planned new definition of extremism risks “more division” which could “disproportionately” target Muslim communities. https://t.co/F5TUaagBlw https://t.co/3nDci0gzB9
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby tells #R4Today that Michael Gove's planned redefinition of extremism 'may accidentally inhibit' the country's 'extraordinarily robust freedom of speech'.
Archbishops of Canterbury and York warn against new extremism definition https://t.co/e70KaETnGo