Concerns have been raised about the Conservatives’ plan to introduce ‘Extremism Disruption Orders’, with campaigners saying that their broad scope would pose a significant threat to freedom of speech.
Both the Christian Institute and the National Secular Society are opposed to the proposals, with one representative suggesting that they could be used against Christians who articulate biblical teaching.
Proposals for the Orders were unveiled at the Conservative Party conference by Home Secretary Theresa May and are set to be included in the Conservatives’ election manifesto.
The Orders could see judges banning ‘extremists’ from using broadcast media and censoring their use of the internet to articulate their message.
During her speech, Mrs May spoke about the danger from groups such as Islamic State and Boko Haram.
‘Low legal threshold’
However, the proposals appear to contain a very low ‘legal threshold’.
According to a letter sent by Chancellor George Osborne to constituents, the Orders would seek to ‘eliminate extremism in all its forms’, challenging those who ‘spread hate but do not break the law ’ and restricting activities that ‘justify hatred’ on the basis of gender, disability, religion or sexual orientation.
Campaigners have again called for the plans to be dropped, highlighting that Christians and others who speak out on contentious issues, such as the redefinition of marriage or the problems of Sharia law, could be caught in the net.
‘Silencing people like us’
At the time of Theresa May’s Conference speech, Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of Christian Concern, outlined her concerns, saying:
“In order to outlaw 'extremism' you have to be able to define the moral framework by which you live; our modern day politicians are unable to do this. They are the products of a relativist, secular, individualistic regime that has forgotten the Christian roots that once undergirded our nation.
“... Theresa May will deny that her proposals are designed to silence people like us. But they do. They already have.”
Read the full commentary here.
Related Coverage:
Sharia law or gay marriage critics would be branded ‘extremists’ under Tory plans, atheists and Christians warn (Telegraph)
What are Theresa May’s new ‘extremism disruption orders’? (The Guardian)