Britain banned Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organisation on Friday, making it a criminal offence to belong to the group or to call for its support.
The Home Office made the announcement after the House of Commons approved a draft order tabled on Monday. It said in a statement:
“This order makes belonging to Hizb ut-Tahrir or inviting support for the group a criminal offence, with a potential prison sentence of 14 years which can be handed down alongside or in place of a fine.”
The ban applies to the global organisation as well as all regional branches, including Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain.
The group is already banned in several countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt and Germany. Founded by Palestinian Takiuddin al-Nabhani al-Filastini in 1953, it seeks to establish an alternative order to democracy and capitalism through an Islamic caliphate.
Labour Party shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomed the announcement. She said:
“It is right that the government has looked urgently at the evidence and intelligence information available to them about the threat posed by Hizb ut-Tahrir, and we welcome and support the decision to proscribe them. Those who incite violence and promote or glorify terrorism have no place on Britain’s streets and must face the full force of the law.”
Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron tried to ban the group while in power, but both dropped the plans.
According to the British Home Office, if parliament agrees with the designation, the label will come into effect from Friday, putting the group on par with other designated groups, including al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).
