Dame Sara Khan, a government adviser on social cohesion, has raised concerns about a troubling trend she calls “freedom restricting harassment” affecting British people. She warns that this rise in hate crimes could threaten our freedoms.
According to the Khan Review, towns and cities in Britain are struggling to address extremism fueled by both Islamists and the far Right. The report highlights a lack of infrastructure to combat conspiracy theories, disinformation, and harassment in some areas.
In an interview with GB News, Khan explained that freedom-restricting harassment occurs when individuals face threatening or abusive behavior, either online or offline, that leads them to self-censor out of fear. Polling data shows that about three-quarters of the British public cannot express their opinions openly due to this harassment.
While much attention has been given to the abuse faced by politicians and public figures, Khan’s report reveals that this problem extends far beyond, affecting academics, teachers, journalists, activists, and others. This harassment stifles individual freedom, undermines social unity, and erodes democratic rights.
Khan shared distressing anecdotes, such as a former council leader receiving thousands of death threats and threats of violence against her two-year-old daughter.
Another example she cited involved a previous councilor whose property was firebombed, prompting the council leader to take extreme precautions to protect her child.
These stories illustrate the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need to address freedom-restricting harassment to safeguard individual liberties and strengthen social cohesion in British society.
