UK to Ban Extreme Right-Wing Terrorist Group Terrorgram

The United Kingdom is set to become the first country in the world to proscribe the Terrorgram collective, an online network of neo-fascist terrorists, on April 26, 2024.

The draft proscription order, laid against the group in Parliament, has been confirmed by Home Secretary James Cleverly. If approved by Parliament, the prescription will make it a criminal offence to belong to, invite support for, or display articles associated with the group, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

Terrorgram is known for producing and disseminating violent propaganda aimed at radicalizing individuals, particularly young people, towards committing acts of terrorism. The collective glorifies attacks committed by neo-fascist terrorists and encourages the replication of such attacks. Home Secretary Cleverly stated that the Terrorgram collective spreads "vile propaganda" and aims to radicalize young people, which is why the government is outlawing membership or support for the group.

The proscription of Terrorgram aligns with the UK government's broader efforts to combat not only Islamist terrorism but also the growing threat of Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism. The collective's dangerous ideologies, including militant accelerationism and neo-fascism, advocate for violent acts aimed at destabilizing society and sparking racial conflicts. Terrorgram has been linked to the Atomwaffen Division, and several members have been arrested in Canada for terrorism-related charges.

Why this matters: The UK's proactive stance in proscribing Terrorgram sends a clear message that terrorism will find no refuge within its borders, setting a precedent for dismantling online terrorist networks. This development signals a recognition of the danger that online propaganda plays in radicalization and incitement of terrorism, demonstrating that it is possible to designate online terrorist groups successfully.

The proscription will grant Counter Terrorism Policing the power to compel tech companies and social media platforms to remove or block the organization's online content for UK users, and it will also be illegal to disseminate their terrorist publications. Security Minister Tom Tugendhat described Terrorgram as a "dangerous neo-fascist organisation that actively encourages and promotes terrorist activity," emphasizing the government's commitment to deterring and limiting the reach of such hateful and terrorist ideologies. The Terrorgram collective will become the 81st group to be added to the UK's list of proscribed organizations, joining ISIS, National Action, and the recently proscribed Wagner Group and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Key Takeaways

• UK to proscribe Terrorgram, a neo-fascist terrorist group, on April 26, 2024.
• Proscription will make it a crime to belong to, support, or display Terrorgram.
• Terrorgram produces violent propaganda to radicalize individuals, especially youth.
• Proscription aligns with UK's efforts to combat Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism.
• Proscription sets a precedent for dismantling online terrorist networks.