On 9 March, the UK Government published a new policy paper: Protecting What Matters: Towards a more confident, cohesive, and resilient United Kingdom. In the introduction, it announced that it is
“adopting a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hostility and will appoint a special representative on tackling anti-Muslim hostility. In addition to the range of actions the government has already taken to combat antisemitism, we will also act on the recommendations of Sir David Bell’s review into antisemitism in schools and colleges, and on the recommendations of Lord Mann’s review of how the healthcare system deals with antisemitism and other forms of racism. We will roll out training on religious hatred across the Civil Service”.
The non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hostility (see Chapter 3) is as follows:
“Anti-Muslim hostility is intentionally engaging in, assisting or encouraging criminal acts – including acts of violence, vandalism, harassment, or intimidation, whether physical, verbal, written or electronically communicated – that are directed at Muslims because of their religion or at those who are perceived to be Muslim, including where that perception is based on assumptions about ethnicity, race or appearance.
It is also the prejudicial stereotyping of Muslims, or people perceived to be Muslim including because of their ethnic or racial backgrounds or their appearance, and treating them as a collective group defined by fixed and negative characteristics, with the intention of encouraging hatred against them, irrespective of their actual opinions, beliefs or actions as individuals.
It is engaging in unlawful discrimination where the relevant conduct – including the creation or use of practices and biases within institutions – is intended to disadvantage Muslims in public and economic life.”
The policy paper emphasises that it is not intended to resurrect the crime of blasphemy:
“We do not recognise blasphemy law in the UK and will ensure the Police are equipped to respond to … incidents [of intimidation, threats and harassment] in a way that prevents public disorder and sectarianism and protects the freedom and safety of the public.”
– and in a statement to the Commons, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, confirmed that “there is absolutely no question of blasphemy laws by the back door”.