UK Prime Minister David Cameron To Unveil Counter-Extremism Bill To Curb Radicalization

U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron is set to roll out a slew of new powers designed to counter radicalization, aiming to end, what he called the country’s "passively tolerant society." Cameron will tell the National Security Council (NSC) about a counter-extremism bill on Wednesday and formally unveil it in the Queen's speech later this month, according to the BBC.

The bill will include tighter rules on immigration, and new powers to close down establishments used by suspected extremists and "extremism disruption orders."

Charities and NGOs will also be subjected to greater scrutiny in order to stop funds from getting diverted toward extremist organizations, and the country’s broadcast regulator will be empowered to act against media promoting extremist content.

The measures are set to target religious extremists, those who incite hatred on racial or gender-based grounds, as well as those who engage in activities found to be in support of “overthrowing democracy,” according to the Guardian.

"Whether they are violent in their means or not, we must make it impossible for the extremists to succeed," Cameron will tell the NSC, according to Reuters.

The details of the proposed plan were first laid out by Home Secretary Theresa May before the general election, which saw Cameron’s Conservative Party achieve a solid victory.

The measures were designed to counter groups that spread extremist or hate-based ideology in public, but do not engage in violence or other terrorist activities.

“For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens: as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone. It’s often meant we have stood neutral between different values. And that’s helped foster a narrative of extremism and grievance,” Cameron will tell the NSC, according to the Guardian.

“This government will conclusively turn the page on this failed approach. As the party of one nation, we will govern as one nation and bring our country together. That means actively promoting certain values.

“Freedom of speech. Freedom of worship. Democracy. The rule of law. Equal rights regardless of race, gender or sexuality. We must say to our citizens: this is what defines us as a society,” the prime minister will reportedly tell the council.