UK: Minister warns against using funds to spy on Muslim groups
This is a speech where everybody sees what they want to see. Some newspapers decided that Denham is stopping Prevent and focusing on integration, others decided that he sees al-Qaeda as the main threat facing Britain. And maybe both are right.
However, the idea that intelligence should only be gathered in ways which can be acknowledged openly is laughable. Every government keeps on eye on extreme elements in society.
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A MAJOR British government-funded programme, costing £150 million (€166 million) this year, which seeks to turn young Muslims away from extremist organisations must not be used to spy on minority communities, a cabinet minister has said.
Under the programme known as "Prevent", local authorities fund moderate Muslim organisations, though critics argue it is creating surveillance concerns among Muslims, and divisions between Muslims and other minority groups.
The Institute of Race Relations last month claimed it is being used to track the movements of individuals and list the identities of those attending meetings. It says this information is then shared with the police and security services.
Speaking in Birmingham, communities secretary John Denham acknowledged Muslims fear they are "opening themselves up to covert surveillance and intelligence gathering" by accepting funding. "Any programme that is surrounded by suspicion or misunderstanding simply will not work. Despite the significant progress that has been made in the first year of the programme, controversy, criticism and lack of clarity have unnecessarily limited its effectiveness," he said.
Intelligence should not be gathered in ways "which cannot be openly acknowledged" with all of those involved in community groups, and must occur only where it is "lawfully justified", said Mr Denham.
(more)
Source: Irish Times
See also
* UK: Muslim youth invited to anti-terrorism exercise
* UK: Gov't denies spying on Muslims
* UK: CIA spying among Pakistanis
* UK: New counter-terrorism guide
This is a speech where everybody sees what they want to see. Some newspapers decided that Denham is stopping Prevent and focusing on integration, others decided that he sees al-Qaeda as the main threat facing Britain. And maybe both are right.
However, the idea that intelligence should only be gathered in ways which can be acknowledged openly is laughable. Every government keeps on eye on extreme elements in society.
-------------
A MAJOR British government-funded programme, costing £150 million (€166 million) this year, which seeks to turn young Muslims away from extremist organisations must not be used to spy on minority communities, a cabinet minister has said.
Under the programme known as "Prevent", local authorities fund moderate Muslim organisations, though critics argue it is creating surveillance concerns among Muslims, and divisions between Muslims and other minority groups.
The Institute of Race Relations last month claimed it is being used to track the movements of individuals and list the identities of those attending meetings. It says this information is then shared with the police and security services.
Speaking in Birmingham, communities secretary John Denham acknowledged Muslims fear they are "opening themselves up to covert surveillance and intelligence gathering" by accepting funding. "Any programme that is surrounded by suspicion or misunderstanding simply will not work. Despite the significant progress that has been made in the first year of the programme, controversy, criticism and lack of clarity have unnecessarily limited its effectiveness," he said.
Intelligence should not be gathered in ways "which cannot be openly acknowledged" with all of those involved in community groups, and must occur only where it is "lawfully justified", said Mr Denham.
(more)
Source: Irish Times
See also
* UK: Muslim youth invited to anti-terrorism exercise
* UK: Gov't denies spying on Muslims
* UK: CIA spying among Pakistanis
* UK: New counter-terrorism guide
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