Prevent Watch

People's Review of Prevent

The People's Review of Prevent

The People’s Review of Prevent is an alternative review to the Government Shawcross Review.

This review provides a voice to the people most impacted by the Prevent Duty.
Prevent is described as ‘safeguarding’ children from harms. However, under Prevent, safeguarding is focused on protecting the wider public from children believed to be ‘risky’, rather than protecting children from harms.

Throughout our report we present case studies that show how real these harms can be and the distress they cause to children and their families and carers.

Why is Sajid Javid so rattled by Cage?

Last Friday, the UK’s former home secretary Sajid Javid, who was appointed on Wednesday as chancellor in Boris Johnson’s new cabinet, delivered a speech at a London community centre in which he attacked several Muslim organisations using the “extremism” label. In today’s world, that is hardly unusual, since the term “extremism” has become broad and malleable in the hands of those in power. Cage was one of the organisations mentioned, which is also not unusual, especially when it comes to the Tories. But what Javid did, which none of his predecessors have done, is to openly declare his opposition to Cage and express, with evident frustration, the extent of our reach, and how he intends to curb our influence and success. Read more

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Sajid Javid warns of ‘naked populism’ in US

Home Secretary Sajid Javid has condemned “naked populism” in the US and described chants made at a Donald Trump rally as “completely unacceptable”. Mr Trump disavowed chants of “send her back” aimed at Democratic congresswoman and US citizen Ilhan Omar. Mr Javid said he was “deeply concerned” about polarisation in parts of the US. In a speech, he also warned of racism propelling extremist politicians to power around the world. Speaking about the chants, Mr Javid said: “This is going on in the US today. Imagine if people were saying to me “send him back”. Read more

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There must be space for criticism: Why Sajid Javid’s attack on critics of Prevent is deeply concerning

The debate on the UK’s counterextremism strategy Prevent has been extremely polarised for many years and has left some Muslim communities in this country feeling marginalised and alienated. The Home Secretary’s most recent comments associating critics of Prevent with “extremists” have furthered this polarisation. Jennifer Philippa Eggert explains why Javid’s comments are concerning and which course of action the Home Secretary and his government should instead take. Read more

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Prevent: ‘You can’t sell something to someone who does not want it’

Home Secretary Sajid Javid has spoken out against those who are looking to share false ‘propaganda’ and ‘false information’ about the Prevent Strategy. That might explain why many Muslims are embarrassed to be associated with it but it does not shed any light as to why there still a huge level of secrecy surrounding it. To suggest we may be taken in by false narratives is a little patronising. Read more

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Prevent critics ‘on side of extremists,’ says home secretary Sajid Javid

Sajid Javidhas attacked some critics of the government’s Prevent anti-terror scheme for being “on the side of the extremists.” The Home Secretary warned there were organisations putting out propaganda and false information to turn people away from Prevent, which aims to combat radicalisation that might lead people into terrorism. “There are organisations out there that are trying to find ways to warp young people’s minds and they put out what you might call propaganda or false information to try and turn people away from it. We have to fight against that,” he said. Asked if its name should be changed as some critics have advocated, he said: “The thing about the name is that if you didn’t call it Prevent, whatever other name we chose I’m sure there would be people trying to attack it because they actually are on the side of extremists.” Mr Javid did not name any groups but

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Tory racism lies behind counter-terrorism laws

Tory prime minister Theresa May is fighting to hide her party’s deep-seated Islamophobia. The growing furore over Islamophobia in the Tory Party came as home secretary Sajid Javid announced fresh “counter-terrorism” policies to spy on Muslims on Monday. Read more 

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