UK to proscribe Hizb ut-Tahrir under Terrorism Act 2000

UK Home Secretary, James Cleverly, has laid a draft order before Parliament to proscribe the international Sunni Islamist political organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir under the Terrorism Act 2000.

The ban under UK terrorism laws comes after followers were accused of chanting “jihad” at a recent pro-Gaza rally.

If agreed by Parliament, the order will come into force on 19th January 2024.

Hizb ut-Tahrir in London;
image: By Interestmedia – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76124023

This means that belonging to, inviting support for and displaying articles in a public place in a way that arouses suspicion of membership or support for the group will be a criminal offence.

Certain proscription offences can be punishable by up to 14 years in prison, which can be handed down by a court alongside or in place of a fine.

The resources of a proscribed organisation are terrorist property and may be seized.

Once a group is proscribed its ability to operate openly in the UK will be significantly degraded because of the offences attached to membership and inviting support.

Founded in 1953, Hizb ut-Tahrir is an international political group with a long-term goal of establishing a Caliphate ruled under Islamic law.

While their headquarters are in Lebanon, the group operates in at least 32 countries including the UK, United States, Canada and Australia.

The proscription of Hizb ut-Tahrir includes the global organisation, as well as all regional branches, including Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain.

Home Secretary, James Cleverly said:  “Hizb ut-Tahrir is an antisemitic organisation that actively promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and celebrating the appalling 7th October attacks. 

“Proscribing this terrorist group will ensure that anyone who belongs to and invites supports for them will face consequences. It will curb Hizb ut-Tahrir’s ability to operate as it currently does.”

Hizb ut-Tahrir’s praise of the 7th October attacks and associated incidents, as well as describing Hamas as ‘heroes’ on their central website constitutes promoting and encouraging terrorism.

Hizb ut-Tahrir has a history of praising and celebrating attacks against Israel and attacks against Jews more widely. The UK stands strongly against antisemitism and will not tolerate the promotion of terrorism in any form.

This group’s antisemitic ideology and praise of attacks against innocent civilians in Israel outlines the necessity of its proscription.

“Hizb ut-Tahrir clearly encourage and promote terrorism.

“Their celebration of Hamas’ appalling attacks on Israel, going so far as to call the terrorists who raped and murdered Israeli citizens ‘heroes’, is disgraceful.

“We stand firmly against antisemitism and hatred against the Jewish community in the UK,” said Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat.

Several countries have banned Hizb ut-Tahrir for their various activities, including Germany, Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan and several Central Asian and Arab countries. Austria banned symbols of the group in May 2021.

The order will be debated in Parliament during the coming days, and, if approved, Hizb ut-Tahrir will become the 80th organisation to be proscribed in the UK.

Other groups who have been proscribed by the British government include al-Qaeda, ISIS, National Action and most recently the Wagner Group.

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“Shoe Bomber” Richard Reid.

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Read also: Islamic Radicalisation: Terrorist prisoners to face tougher restrictions in UK prisons

“Shoe Bomber” Richard Reid, who tried to blow up an airliner carrying 197 passengers and crew in 2001: radicalised in a UK prison.

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WHO ARE HIZB – UT TAHRIR?

Hizb ut-Tahrir, translated as the “Party of Liberation,” is an international Islamist political organization that advocates for the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate.

Taqiuddin al-Nabhani.

Founded in 1953 by Taqiuddin al-Nabhani, a Palestinian Islamic jurist, the group emerged in Jerusalem with the primary goal of unifying the Muslim world under a single Islamic state, governed by Sharia law.

The early years of Hizb ut-Tahrir were marked by its focus on intellectual and ideological development.

Al-Nabhani, the organization’s ideologue, emphasized the importance of reviving Islamic thought and restoring the Islamic way of life. The party expanded its presence in the Arab world, gaining support among various segments of the population who were disillusioned with the secular nature of their governments.

Hizb ut-Tahrir faced repression from several governments, particularly in the Middle East, due to its opposition to the existing political systems. Despite these challenges, the organization continued to grow, attracting followers who believed in its vision of a unified Islamic state.

Over the years, Hizb ut-Tahrir expanded its activities beyond the Middle East, establishing a global presence with branches in Asia, Europe, and North America. The organization utilized modern communication tools, such as the internet and social media, to disseminate its message and attract supporters worldwide.

Critics of Hizb ut-Tahrir argue that its ideology promotes an extremist version of Islam and challenges the principles of democracy and human rights.

The organization, however, maintains that it seeks change through peaceful means and intellectual discourse.

Hizb ut-Tahrir’s influence has varied across different regions, with some countries banning its activities due to concerns about its potential to incite political instability.

Despite its persistence, the group has not achieved its primary goal of establishing an Islamic Caliphate, and its role in global Islamist politics continues to be a subject of debate and scrutiny.

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