LONDON, September 1, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – British Prime Minister Tony Blair may face this week obstacles from the European Union (EU) over his plans to deport foreign-born ‘extremists’ to countries with poor human rights records, according to press reports Thursday, September 1.

The EU justice and security commissioner Franco Frattini is due to unveil a new directive on Thursday covering how member states should deal with the issue of getting rid of ‘unwanted’ foreign nationals and failed asylum-seekers, according to CNSNews Web site.

The new law will bar governments from sending people back to countries where they could face persecution or torture, posing a further potential obstacle to the UK's plans to step up the expulsion of what it called ‘foreign Islamist extremists’.

The document will also emphasize the need for countries to abide by international treaties, including the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and a 1951 UN refugee convention, the Web site reads.

The ECHR prohibits deporting individuals to a country where they could face "torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment".

The refugee treaty says no state may return a refugee to a territory where his life or freedom would be threatened.

The EU directive will include provisions for people under expulsion orders to appeal their removal, and set restrictions on the amount of time a government may detain an individual after a court has ordered deportation, CNSNews said.

The directive, according to the Web site, seeks to establish a common policy for the 25 member states, to prevent illegal immigrants from exploiting differences in standards set by individual European countries.

Like other member states, Britain will have the right to opt in or out of the rules.

In the past, the Labor government has supported moves to establish a common EU asylum policy, but following the July 7 London bombings, it announced a broad clampdown.

British Home Secretary Charles Clarke unveiled August, 24, news guidelines of "unacceptable behavior" under which the government can deport and ban Muslim scholars accused of fomenting, justifying and glorifying acts of terror and violence.

The banned views include those conveyed through written or published material, including Web sites, as well as public speaking.

The new guidelines are part of the anti-terror measures taken in the wake of the July 7 London attacks, which were carried out by four Muslims, including three British-born.

Human rights groups also said that any plans for immediate deportations would be legally challenged.

Under the 1971 Immigration Act, the home secretary has the power to deport foreigners he believes pose a threat to national security.

But international law prevents London from deporting people to countries where they face inhumane treatment.

Earlier this month, Britain signed an agreement with Jordan which London says will protect deportees from ill-treatment.

Britain is also seeking similar accords with countries such as Algeria , Lebanon and others.

In a separate-related development, Birmingham Muslims were to meet later Thursday with Home Office Ministers to debate tackling extremism and reforming mosques, the Birmingham Evening Mail reported.

UK Ministers have set up a series of meetings with Muslims to discuss issues raised by the London bombings on July 7, before new laws are unveiled by Clarke next month.

Home Office Minister Paul Goggins will attend the meeting, which follows others in Oldham, Burnley, Leicester, Bradford, Manchester and Leeds.

Members of other religions, including Anglicans, will also take part in the summit, which will look at improving relations between different sections of the minority.

The meeting will discuss the effect of the terror attacks on Asians who are not Muslim but have experienced hostility as a result.

"Issues which people have raised in the previous summits included disaffection among young people, and not just Muslims but young people in general," a Home Office spokeswoman told the paper.

"We also looked at whether there should be some kind of controls on imams, and a requirement to speak English."

One MP, however, warned she feared the government was failing to hear the voices of all Muslims.

"You need to be very careful when you invite community leaders that you are not just inviting the people who put themselves forward, and may not represent the community as a whole," Gisela Stuart (Lab Edgbaston) said.

Britain 's Muslim population is estimated at 1.6million, with 1.1million over 18, meaning more than half a million may have considered the possibility of leaving, said the Guardian.