UK home secretary urged by legal and community groups to proscribe EDL

A coalition of 15 civil society organisations, including the Association of Muslim Lawyers, the Society of Black Lawyers and leading community groups such as Black Lives Matter UK and Aziz Foundation, have written to Britain’s Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, to demand the proscription of the English Defence League (EDL) and its proxies as a terrorist group. The demand follows recent riots attributed to the EDL which have left communities across the country deeply shaken.

The letter highlights the escalating threat posed by the EDL and its proxies, which have increasingly incited hatred and violence against ethnic minorities in the UK. The coalition of civil society groups argue that the EDL still exists — it was believed to be defunct — as Tommy Robinson and other former members continue to promote violence against minorities.

“Their rhetoric and actions meet the criteria for proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000, which grants the Home Secretary the power to ban groups involved in terrorism,” say the letter’s signatories.

“We cannot in good conscience risk our lives or the lives of our families by returning to normality until the EDL is proscribed,” said the Association of Muslim Lawyers, expressing grave concern over the EDL’s continued ability to organise and incite violence. “The government’s responsibility to protect its citizens is paramount, and we urge the Home Secretary to act swiftly and decisively to restore peace and security. We remain open to dialogue and are ready to assist in any way possible to ensure the safety of all citizens and refugees in this country.”

These concerns were echoed by the Society of Black Lawyers, which emphasised the detrimental impact of the EDL’s activities on Black and minority ethnic communities. “We would also urge all political parties to cease using inflammatory rhetoric that seeks to target asylum seekers, particularly those being trafficked in small boats. These are victims of criminal gangs and the failure of the last government to agree a return policy for those that have already claimed asylum in any EU country.”

The coalition’s letter urges Cooper to exercise her powers under the law to proscribe the EDL, arguing that such a measure is necessary to curb the spread of extremist ideologies and to protect vulnerable communities from further harm. The signatories concluded by calling on the government to reaffirm its commitment to combating all forms of terrorism, including far-right extremism, and to ensure that the safety and security of all communities in the UK are upheld.

The letter was signed by the following:

Association of Muslim Lawyers; Society of Black Lawyers; Black Lives Matter; Legal Action for Peace; Society of Asian Lawyers; Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations; Aziz Foundation; Restless Beings; Muslim Women of Merton; Finsbury Park Mosque; Muslim Public Affairs Committee; Muslim Professionals Forum; Balham Mosque & Tooting Islamic Centre; Muslim Association of Britain; and Parents United.

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