The British government wants to define extremism

The British government on Thursday published an official definition of “extremism.”

The British government published an official definition of “extremism” on Thursday, and said groups that get the label will be barred from receiving government funding.

It’s unclear who will be on the list, and critics say branding nonviolent groups as extremist could undermine freedom of speech.

The government defined extremism as “the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance” that aims to destroy others’ rights and freedoms or “undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights.”

The government did not provide examples of extremist groups, but Communities Secretary Michael Gove pointed to the threat from the extreme right and “Islamist extremists who are seeking to separate Muslims from the rest of society and create division within Muslim communities.”

Islamic and civil liberties groups said they worried the definition would be used disproportionately on Muslims.