According to sources at the BBC, there has been a rise in climate activists being referred to the UK government’s Prevent programme, which is aimed at stopping people from becoming terrorists. While Prevent has historically been used in response to radicalisation related to far-right or Islamist terrorism, the government has clarified that it can also be applied to environmental extremism. Critics have argued that the scheme can curtail free speech and infringe human rights and should be reformed. Prevent referrals can be submitted by anyone, with authorities legally obliged to consider the risk of radicalisation since 2015.
The definitions of extremism and activism have come under scrutiny from climate activists who argue that the government’s understanding of extremism is too wide-reaching and that lawful, non-violent protest is being confused with extremism. Former National Police Lead for Prevent, Sir Peter Fahy, has also criticised the Prevent scheme for inappropriate treatment of non-violent climate activists. Sir Peter warned that the fear of being flagged under Prevent could discourage environmental activism and urged authorities to re-evaluate these cases to distinguish between non-violent activism and extremist behaviour.
The UK government has grouped ‘eco-terrorism’ in the category of violent extremism motivated by ideas on ‘the extreme political left-wing’. The Home Office has, however, qualified this by stating there have only been a small number of instances of terrorist behaviour affiliated with environmentalism, and the Prevent programme aims to stop people from turning to terrorism or violent activities. Amnesty International has criticised the Prevent scheme in the past and highlighted how it impacts human rights. David Knowles, former Prevent National Lead, has also defended the scheme, highlighting that it is a vital part of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy.
Prevent is an early intervention programme that leases with individuals who show signs of becoming radicalised, with Channel being the process for deciding whether or not a person requires more comprehensive intervention. The government has confirmed that lawful activism or protest does not qualify for Prevent referral and if a person is not at risk of being radicalised, the case would be closed. However, many argue that the definitions of what constitutes extremism, and environmental activism, are too broad, meaning a large number of people in recent years have been referred to Prevent for environmental reasons
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