The Home Secretary, , has today (15 January) laid
a draft order before Parliament to proscribe the international
Sunni Islamist political organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir under
the Terrorism Act 2000.
If agreed by Parliament, the order will come into force on 19
January 2024. 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, said:
Hizb ut-Tahrir is an antisemitic organisation that actively
promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and
celebrating the appalling 7 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 7 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.
Security Minister, said:
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.
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 this week 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.
