On Monday 15 January, The Home Secretary, James Cleverly, laid before Parliament a draft order to proscribe Hizb ut-Tahrir under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The order was approved on Thursday 18 January and came into force on Friday 19 January.
It is now a criminal offence to belong to, invite support for, and display articles in a public place in a way that arouses suspicion of membership or support for the group.
Hizb ut-Tahrir has now been added to the list of proscribed terrorist groups or organisations. It is the 80th organisation to be proscribed in the UK.
Who is Hizb ut-Tahrir?
Hizb ut-Tahrir is an international Sunni Islamist political organisation founded in 1953. Their long-term goal is to establish a Caliphate ruled under Islamic law. Their headquarters are in Lebanon, and they operate in at least 32 countries including the UK, United States, Canada and Australia.
Hizb ut-Tahrir has a history of praising and celebrating attacks against Israel and attacks against Jews more widely.
The proscription of Hizb ut-Tahrir includes the global organisation, as well as all regional branches, including Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain.
Several countries have banned Hizb ut-Tahrir, including Germany, Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan and several Central Asian and Arab countries. Austria banned symbols of the group in May 2021.
Home Secretary, James Cleverly said:
“Hizb ut-Tahrir is an antisemitic organisation that actively promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and celebrating the appalling 7 October attacks.
“Proscribing this terrorist group will ensure that anyone who belongs to and invites supports for them will face consequences. It will curb Hizb ut-Tahrir’s ability to operate as it currently does.