A recent United Nations report has strongly criticized the UK’s counter-terrorism policies, calling for the suspension of Prevent and reparations for those affected by the program. The report highlights the negative impact of these strategies on British Muslims and urges the new Labour government to reform its approach.
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) specifically targets Prevent, noting its disproportionate targeting of Muslim communities, including children. The committee recommends revising the counter-terrorism strategies to eliminate discriminatory impacts and suspend Prevent to prevent profiling and discrimination.
In response to the report, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper commissioned a review on a new “counter-extremism” strategy to address harmful ideologies. The government plans to enhance Prevent training to identify signs of radicalization better.
The CERD report also criticizes Schedule 7, a counter-terrorism policy giving police broad detention powers, citing its disproportionate impact on ethnic minorities. Rights & Security International supports the report’s findings and emphasizes the need for the government to abolish Prevent.
Amnesty International UK and other groups welcome the report’s findings, calling for independent monitoring and remedies for Prevent’s human rights violations. The UK government now has an opportunity to reshape its counter-terrorism strategy and address these concerns.