MEND responds to the announcement by the Government of an Independent review into PREVENT

As a result of the amendments to the Counter-Terror and Border Security Bill proposed by the House of Lords, the Government has conceded to an independent review of the PREVENT strategy. This review follows sustained criticism of the strategy put forward by experts from across society, including three special rapporteurs to the UN, the Joint Committee on Human Rights, the NEU (formerly known as the NUT), the NUS, the former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Rights Watch UK, the Open Society Justice Initiative, the Joint Committee for Human Rights, and more than 140 academics, politicians and experts in one instance alone.

Whilst MEND is of the firm belief that the Prevent duty should be repealed it nevertheless welcomes this independent review of PREVENT as an important first step in the right direction in tackling the detrimental impact of ill-conceived counter-terror strategies that hinder Muslims’ abilities to fully enjoy their social, civic, religious, political, and economic rights.

However, whilst the Independent Reviewer and his/her team have yet to be announced, it is imperative that they are truly independent, credible and will be afforded access to any data or materials in the true spirit of openness and transparency. The review must engage with all stakeholders, including grassroots Muslim organisations. Furthermore, the terms of reference for such a review also needs to include an examination of all possible causes of terrorism, including the role of foreign policy.