UK Government Consults on Non-Statutory Definition of Anti-Muslim Hatred
The UK government is considering a non-statutory draft definition of anti-Muslim hatred, submitted to government in October and currently taken to stakeholders for consultation. This definition omits the term Islamophobia but aims to guide public bodies in understanding and quantifying prejudice and hate crimes.
The draft text defines anti-Muslim hostility as engaging in or encouraging criminal acts against Muslims or those perceived as Muslims based on religion, ethnicity, or appearance. This includes violence, vandalism, harassment, discrimination, prejudicial stereotyping, and racialisation. It also addresses discrimination involving institutional practices that disadvantage Muslims in public and economic life.
There is some debate around the use of racialisation within the definition. Baroness Gohir stated that the submission strikes the right balance by safeguarding individuals while avoiding overreach, emphasizing that Muslims are targeted for their beliefs and appearance. Conversely, the Free Speech Union and some Conservative figures have raised concerns that the definition could infringe on free speech or enable a de facto blasphemy law. Dominic Grieve, however, contends that the phrasing does not remove the right to free speech.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) commented that they do not respond to leaks but highlighted the importance of tackling hate and extremism alongside defending freedom of speech.
Home Office figures indicate a 19% rise in religious hate crimes against Muslims last year, with a spike occurring after the Southport murders and related riots. Previously, Labour had promised to introduce a new definition of Islamophobia, and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims defined Islamophobia as rooted in racism. The current draft differs from Labour's 2019 proposal, which Labour adopted while in opposition.
