Limitation of the Freedom of Expression within the United Kingdom with respect to the concept of Militant Democracy

Abstract

The significant increase in migration to European democracies over the last decade has brought with it an increase in the popularity of extremist speech, or expressions that spread concerns of possible terrorism. Radicalisation of opinions reflects in the related organized groups that exploit current problems for their political and social benefit. All the more, the topic of militant democracy and related interventions into democratic rights and freedoms, especially tuhe freedom of expression, is more current and it is necessary to pay due attention to it. Paradoxically, British democracy, situated in the middle of the struggle of continental democracies to preserve their democratic essence, prides itself on rejecting this concept and strives for the unrestricted dissemination of opinions, regardless of whether the speech is offensive, defamatory, shocking, or promotes the ideas of totalitarian regimes, or is even racist or discriminatory. Does British democracy really not defend itself from extremist expression? The paper aims to analyze the conditions under which freedom of expression is restricted in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the point of view of the concept of militant democracy and the rights associated with this right, namely freedom of association and assembly.