Cameron to set out new powers to tackle radicalization

Cameron to set out new powers to tackle radicalization

PanARMENIAN.Net - David Cameron is to set out a string of new powers to tackle radicalization, saying the UK has been a "passively tolerant society" for too long, BBC News reports.

The PM will tell the National Security Council a counter-extremism bill will be in the Queen's Speech on May 27. The bill will include new immigration rules, powers to close down premises used by extremists and "extremism disruption orders".

Cameron will say a "poisonous" extremist ideology must be confronted.

The proposals were first set out by Home Secretary Theresa May before the general election.

The measures are also expected to introduce banning orders for extremist organizations who use hate speech in public places, but whose activities fall short of it being proscribed as a terror group.

According to details given by May at last year's Conservative Party conference, such orders would apply if ministers "reasonably believe" a group intended to incite religious or racial hatred, to threaten democracy, or if there was a pressing need to protect the public from harm, either from a risk of violence, public disorder, harassment or other criminal acts.

The granting of a ban, which would be subject to immediate review by the High Court, would make membership or funding of the organization concerned a criminal offence.

The extreme disruption orders could be imposed on individuals, using the same criteria.

Under the government's plans, the Charity Commission will be given more power to "root out charities who misappropriate funds towards extremism and terrorism", and broadcast regulator Ofcom will be able to take action against channels broadcasting extremist content.

The terror threat level was raised from substantial to severe last August in response to the conflict in Syria and Iraq.

Cameron, according to the BBC, will say the new powers will make it harder for people to promote extremist views.

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'," he will say. "It's often meant we have stood neutral between different values. And that's helped foster a narrative of extremism and grievance."

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