STATEMENT
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has expressed profound concern on the proposed Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, which is set to be reintroduced in the Commons this Wednesday, 25th October.
The Bill is designed to stop councils and other public authorities conducting boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns against other countries, and in particular Israel. This Bill follows the passage of Bills such as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, the Nationality and Borders Bill and the Public Order Bill, all of which have gravely undermined citizenship rights, the right to protest and freedom of expression more broadly. This Bill is yet another example of government overreach, specifically insofar as the fundamental democratic principles of the right to protest and freedom of expression are concerned.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, specifically within the context of ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, is an exercise in peaceful protest and very much in-line with the principles of freedom of expression. A Bill prohibiting a means of peaceful protest against human rights abuses will only serve to further undermine the right to protest and freedom of expression as a whole.
In addition, the specific clause mentioning Israel will afford it an unprecedented and lasting impunity. The Bill, in turn, is a profoundly reactionary response to the peaceful pursuit of accountability for human rights abuses, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people.
Secretary-General of The Muslim Council of Britain, Zara Mohammed, said:
“That the Government would seek to pass this gravely flawed Bill, at a time of such heightened community tensions no less, is unconscionable and risks further inflaming an already exceedingly tense situation.
“We call upon the government to withdraw the legislation, recognising its undemocratic nature and its significant potential to undermine campaigns for social justice. The government must uphold democratic values, protect freedom of expression, and allow peaceful means of political change to thrive.”
[ENDS]
Notes to Editors:
- For any media enquiries, please contact: media@mcb.org.uk
- The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) is the UK’s largest and most diverse Muslim umbrella organisation with membership spanning national, regional local organisations, mosques, charities and professional networks. It is independent, cross-sectarian and democratic with the leadership team accountable to the membership.