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Levelling up, housing and communities, Michael Gove has outlined the UK government's definition of extremism. Picture: Lucy North/PA Wire

The UK government’s new definition of extremism has been condemned as a “smash and grab” on human rights by Amnesty International. Launched by communities secretary Michael Gove on Thursday, the definition describes extremism as “the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance” that aims to “negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others”, or “undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights”. 

Groups covered by the definition, which is designed to include conduct that falls short of criminality, but is still deemed “unacceptable”, will be denied access to government funding and prevented from meeting ministers and officials or gaining a platform that could “legitimise” them. 

However, the policy has attracted criticism from charities, human rights groups and opposition parties, as well as Tory MPs. 

Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International’s chief executive, labelled the expansion of the definition a “dangerous gimmick”, that had come in the wake of protest calling for a ceasefire.

He said: “From the Prime Minister’s disturbing Downing Street speech earlier this month, the introduction of further anti-protest measures and now the expansion of the extremism definition, it looks as if the government is set on shrinking the space for dissenting views and the right to protest.

“An overwhelmingly peaceful protest movement seeking an end to Israel’s mass killing of civilians in Gaza is being used by ministers to clamp down on our civil liberties, the irony is crushing and frightening.

Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, announced a new definition of extremism.
Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, announced a new definition of extremism. 
 
“This dangerously sweeping approach to labelling groups and individuals ‘extremist’ is yet another smash and grab on our human rights by a government which has become a serial offender in this regard.

“This attempt to stigmatise legitimate, peaceful political activity is taking us further down the road toward authoritarianism. This expansion will lead to further misuse and discrimination. Today’s announcement is a dangerous gimmick and this whole enterprise should be abandoned.”

The Muslim Council of Britain also attacked the proposals as “flawed”, warning they were “undemocratic, divisive, and potentially illegal” and “may involve defining established Muslim organisations as extremist”. 

Labour has claimed the new definition raises more questions than answers and was “very unusual”.

Shadow Treasury minister Darren Jones told the BBC: “The slight confusion really is that the government has focused on this definition today, which is not in relation to the counter-extremism strategy, which is now nine years out of date. It’s not an action plan for agencies and others about what action they should take in communities across the country. It’s not even a legal definition.

“All it really does is prevent the government from financing organisations or individuals. That rather implies that Michael Gove is worried they’re doing that at the moment, which raises more questions than he’s been able to answer this morning.”

Mr Gove insisted the definition would not impact free speech.

He told the Commons: “Our definition will not affect gender critical campaigners, those with conservative religious beliefs, trans activists, environmental protest groups, or those exercising their proper right to free speech.

“The government is taking every possible precaution to strike a balance in drawing up the new definition between protecting fundamental rights and safeguarding citizens.”  By Alexander Brown, The Scotsman

South Africa plans to contribute 2,900 troops in total to a new regional force in DR Congo APA 

The European Union announced Wednesday an aid package worth almost 70 million euros ($77 million) for the Great Lakes region of Africa which has been plagued by conflict and natural disasters. 

“The humanitarian situation in the Great Lakes region is desperate -– and is expected to deteriorate further in 2024 as the conflict intensifies and the root causes of violence persist,” Janez Lenarcic, EU commissioner for crisis management, said in a statement.

The statement said 63.75 million euros ($70 million) of the package was allocated to humanitarian projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) including 4.75 million euros ($5.2 million) for disaster risk reduction. CGTN

 
 

By IEA Correspondent

Joseph Irungu also known as Jowie has earlier today been sentenced to death for the murder of Monica Kimani. In delivering her judgement, Lady Justice Grace Nzioka said that she considered three factors in making her determination; the manner in which the offence was committed, the consequence of the offence and the personaiity of the accused(Jowie)

She said Monica Kimani went through gruesome ordeal and the killer did not intend to even give her one minute to live:

"It was a gruesome murder, horrific and threatening," she stated.4.

Joseph Irungu was found guilty of the offence on 9th February 2024. Monica Kimani, the victim was murdered on 19th September, 2018 and was found by her friends and relatives. The prosecution had urged the Court to impose death penalty. 

On their part, the family submitted that "no amount of compensation can bring the deceased back"

Lawyer and Professor Makau Mutua. PHOTO/(@MakauMutua)X
Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition spokesperson Makau Mutua has weighed in on Justice Grace Nzioka's decision to sentence Joseph Irungu alias Jowie to death after being found guilty of Monica Kimani's murder.

Jowie, sentenced on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, was found guilty of the crime on February 9, 2024.

Presenting the ruling, Justice Nzioka stated that Monica's murder was not a defensive act or out of provocation but was instead planned, intended and executed.

Justice Nzioka also revealed that the prosecution had called for Jowie's death sentence.

"I have ordered that the first accused person, Joseph Kuria Irungu alias Jowie, shall suffer death as provided for the offence of murder under section 204 of the Penal Code of Kenya.

"After the commission of the offence, there was an attempt to conceal the evidence. The crime had serious psychological and physical harm to the victim and the family. The prosecution invited this court to pronounce a death sentence," Lady Justice Nzioka said.

What Mutua said

In his remarks, Mutua disagreed with the court's decision saying the death penalty was not acceptable in modern-day society and that no court should ever impose the penalty to any offender regardless of the weight of the crime committed.

Defending his sentiments, Mutua disregarded the penalty stating that it does not bring back the victim to life nor stop future killers, he subsequently termed it as vengeful, primitive, callous and without any redemption to benefit the society.

"The death penalty has no place in any modern society. It’s jurisprudentially inconsistent with the logic, values, and legal philosophy that undergird Kenya’s 2010 Constitution. No court should ever impose such an irreversible penalty on ANY offender in Kenya, no matter the heinousness of the crime, or how despicable and depraved the felon. 

"Degrees of savagery, depravity, or heartlessness do not vacate the moral, practical, and philosophical indefensibility of the death penalty and its finality. Nor does the death penalty bring back the victim or deter future killers. It’s vengeful, primitive, and callous and without redemption or any single benefit to society. An eye for eye makes the entire society blind," Mutua wrote on his official X account.

Mutua's remarks come amid reactions from a section of members of the public regarding Jowie's death sentence with a few thinking that he will be hanged in prison should he fail to appeal his sentence.  By , K24 Digital

A coalition of organisations and individuals has launched a parliamentary petition calling for Parliament to be inclusive of communication differences. The petition calls the current state of parliamentary debate a "febrile environment where people who communicate differently fear they'll get ripped to shreds." 

The catalyst for this action was the recent withdrawal of Liberal Democrat Chris Nelson from standing as a parliamentary candidate in the General Election due to abusive comments about his stammer from political colleagues. 

Led by STAMMA, the British Stammering Association, the petition has launched with signatories from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, the Michael Palin CentreDisability Rights UK and the Co-op as well as STAMMA Patron, the actor and podcaster Scroobius Pip 

Chair of STAMMA, Paul Fix, said: "It can't be right that people fear to stand for Parliament, believing they'll won't be heard or listened to because of their difference. We want Parliament to hold a debate to examine how they debate, and whether name calling, jeering and booing, should be allowed". 

Elaine Kelman, Head of the Michael Palin Centre, commented: "As speech and language therapists, we support people with communication challenges and differences to become more effective and confident as communicators. As he publicly acknowledged, we helped Chris Nelson to do this with his stammering. It was so disappointing to learn that his experiences of bullying by those he sought to serve alongside in politics, led to his decision to stand down as candidate. We expect our parliament to demonstrate the same respectful behaviour and support for difference that is expected of all of us in our workplaces". 

Paul Gerrard, Campaigns, Public Affairs and Board Secretariat, Coop, added: "For nearly 30 years I have worked with parliaments and politicians across the UK and have done so with a stammer. It isn't something to be overcome, it's part of me. Too many people, especially in politics, see it as a weakness or a vulnerability to be exploited. It is hurtful, it is plain nasty but above all else it prevents talent from entering public service which is something we can ill afford. This petition is asking those who represent us and make our laws to act with respect and welcome all views not just those who sound like them". 

Steve Jamieson, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapistssaid"We fully support STAMMA's petition calling on Parliament to practise inclusive communication and embrace peoples' differences. People should never be heckled or made fun of for having speech, language, and communication difficulties. As our elected representatives, they should be fostering an environment where everyones' voice is heard, and bad behaviour is not tolerated". 

Kamran Mallick, CEO, Disability Rights UK, said: "Creating an inclusive society that works for everyone has to start with the government. Their role is to set the example, ensure that different voices and experiences are heard, and create environments that value and respect difference. Parliament should be a space to debate robustly and not a place where Disabled people fear bullying and discrimination. Our country will only benefit from diversity in political life. We stand in solidarity with Stamma in calling for a change so that individuals who stammer can realise their ambitions of a role in public life". 

Every year, STAMMA deals with over a 1,000 phone calls, emails and webchats from parents of stammering children and adults who stammer, some who believe they've been discriminated against because of how they talk. Through our Advocacy Service, which we introduced last year, we take on complaints from people who have been mocked or discriminated against. 

The purpose of this petition is to demand that MPs discuss and review how well our debating system works for people who communicate differently. Founding signatories include people who stammer, and those working with people who stammer or have communication differences. Z News Agency

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