UK: Labour MPs propose legislation to criminalize the possession of images of Muslim women without a hijab

Image: Jihad Watch

A group of Labour MPs has called for making the possession of images of Muslim women without their hijabs a criminal offense.

The Commons’ Women and Equalities Committee argues that photographs of Muslim women without their religious headscarves, taken without consent, should be classified as “non-consensual intimate images” and treated with the same severity as child sexual abuse material.

Currently, English law defines an “intimate” image as one that depicts a person fully or partially nude, engaged in a sexual act, or using the toilet. However, the Labour-led group asserts that abuse can also extend to “culturally intimate” material, such as a Muslim woman being photographed without her hijab.

“The Government should broaden the legal definition to include such images,” the committee stated. “Non-consensual intimate image abuse is not always limited to sexually explicit content. In certain cultures, countries, or religions, sharing a photograph of someone without their religious attire – or in close physical contact with another person – can have severe consequences for the individual.”

David Spencer, from the Policy Exchange think tank, acknowledged the importance of addressing ‘revenge porn’ but warned that expanding the law to include ‘culturally intimate’ images could overreach.

“The police already face significant challenges dealing with violent crimes such as stabbings, sexual assaults, and thefts. Expecting them to intervene in so-called ‘cultural’ matters risks stretching resources too thin,” he said.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)