Proposed UK Islamophobia definition allows for right to criticise religion, source says

"The government launched a working group in February to define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim. It is understood the working group submitted its report this month to the communities secretary, Steve Reed, laying out a non-statutory definition of Islamophobia. The report is private and the government may choose not to publish it or to drop the project entirely."

"A source with knowledge of the matter said the 2019 definition could be interpreted as being a mechanism by which freedom of expression to criticise Islam could be closed down and that the working group knew it must avoid that. The source said the working group stuck to its terms of reference that any proposed definition must be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression which includes the right to criticise, express dislike of or insult religions and/or the beliefs and practices of adherents."

UK ministers consider a non-statutory definition of Islamophobia intended to define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone perceived to be Muslim. A working group launched in February submitted a private report this month to Communities Secretary Steve Reed; the government may publish the report, consult on the proposal, or drop the project. Critics warn that some definitions could limit freedom of speech and the ability to criticise Islam. The 2019 APPG definition was adopted by Labour and more than 50 English councils but not by the Conservative government. The working group emphasised compatibility with the right to criticise, express dislike of, or insult religions.

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