(Blog Post Adapted from our Biweekly Meeting, the Amnesty UK official Post and Open Democracy) Edited by Lisa Bennett
'Islamist' referrals to Prevent have surged by 45% in the wake of 7 October.
More specifically, over a hundred schoolchildren and university students have faced referrals to PREVENT for displaying support for Palestine in the last three months (Open Democracy).
This is just one example of how PREVENT is not fit for purpose and is instead attacking freedom of speech and targeting vulnerable groups.
PREVENT is part of the UK Government's anti-terrorism policy, which focuses on pre-crime and preventing radicalism from occurring by requiring public institutions to refer people who may be 'at risk of radicalisation' to the police or local authorities. However, in reality, the vast majority of people reported under PREVENT do not present any threat and referrals require no further action.
Amnesty International has also repeatedly raised issues over the human rights abuses associated with Prevent, as seen in their 2023 "This is the Thought Police". Here is a short summary of some of the findings:
Impact on Freedom of Expression
People have to modify their behaviour, afraid to attend protests and may refrain from sharing religious and political views out of fear.
Racial Discrimination and Islamophobia
Referrals based on 'gut feelings' have led to over-targeting of predominantly Muslim men. Islamophobia stereotypes are often incited.
Impact on Vulnerable groups
Disproportionate number of referrals of neurodiverse people, teenagers and children. This targets already marginalised and minoritized communities.
Lack of Transparency and Accountability
Individuals are often unaware of the reasons for their referral or outcome of the process, thus they are unable to challenge unjust referrals.
Ineffectiveness
No hard evidence that it prevents violent terrorism.
87% of referrals are false positives
Estimated cost £40m a year
Prevent is stripping people of their basic humans rights and hampering their ability to live, work and speak freely. It is ineffective and a waste of public resources.
It must be scrapped.
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