Freedom of speech is a fundamental aspect of the Human Rights Act 1998 and it must be protected, however, this right is not absolute and cannot be used to justify the incitement of violence against an entire religious community. 

Over the past few months, we have seen the rise in open violent speech against the British Muslim Community which has led to arson attacks on Muslim businesses, criminal damage to mosques, and violence perpetuated against members of the Muslim Community including women and children. 

The Metropolitan Police have the power to ban protests yet it has failed to do so despite UKIP’s leader, Nick Tenconi, repeatedly calling for a ‘crusade’ against the British Muslim Community. 

In light of Norwood v DPP [2003] EWHC 1564 (QB) and Norwood v UK (ECtHR, 2004), the expressions used by UKIP clearly falls within Article 17 ECHR as hate speech aimed at destroying and/or limiting the rights and freedoms of others, namely the British Muslim Community. Such expression is excluded from the protection of Articles 10 and 11 and is unlawful. The “Reclaim London from the Islamists” march is not a lawful exercise of free expression or assembly, and the Metropolitan Police had a clear legal duty to prohibit it under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 and section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Who We Are

Legal Action for Peace is a Muslim organisation of lawyers and human rights advocates committed to ensuring the proper application of the Equality Act in relation to Anti-Muslim Hatred and anti-Arab discrimination.

Legal Action for Peace has instructed Imran Khan & Partners. We are raising funds to launch a judicial review against the Metropolitan Police Service for its decision to allow the UKIP protest, framed as a “crusade” to “reclaim Whitechapel from the Islamists” to proceed in Central London.

While the police imposed a condition under the Public Order Act 1986 to reroute the protest away from Tower Hamlets, this partial measure was both an inadequate and unlawful response to a clear threat to public safety and community cohesion. By permitting the protest to continue elsewhere, the Metropolitan Police failed in its fundamental duty to protect the rights of a targeted community.
 
Help us to hold the Metropolitan Police to account for its failure to uphold its legal duties and protect communities from hateful incitement.
 

How Your Support Will Help 

A judicial review is a complex and costly legal process. 

Your contribution will help us send a clear message: the rule of law must be applied fairly to protect everyone including all religious communities. 

Thank you for your support.