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New Terrorism act
Kashif
01/17/01 at 04:40:36
This is a summarised version of the Terrorism Act 2000 which is due to become law in the UK in February. Some say that the British Government is targetting Muslims and Islamic Movements specifically. This remains to be seen. However, it will be instructive to take note of some of its contents. Sent by shahzad.butt@surrey.businesslink.co.uk THE TERRORISM ACT 2000 ====================== Terrorism: interpretation. 1. - (1) In this Act "terrorism" means the use or threat, for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause, of action which- (a) involves serious violence against any person or property, (b) endangers the life of any person, or (c) creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public. (2) In subsection (1)- (a) "action" includes action outside the United Kingdom, (b) a reference to any person or to property is a reference to any person, or to property, wherever situated, and (c) a reference to the public includes a reference to the public of a country other than the United Kingdom. (3) In this Act a reference to action taken for the purposes of terrorism includes a reference to action taken for the benefit of a proscribed organisation. Proscription. 3. - (1) For the purposes of this Act an organisation is proscribed if- (a) it is listed in Schedule 2 (3) The Secretary of State may by order- (a) add an organisation to Schedule 2 (4) The Secretary of State may exercise his power under subsection (3) (a) in respect of an organisation only if he believes that it is concerned in terrorism. (5) For the purposes of subsection (4) an organisation is concerned in terrorism if it- (a) commits or participates in acts of terrorism, (b) prepares for terrorism, (c) promotes or encourages terrorism, or (d) is otherwise concerned in terrorism. Membership. 11. - (1) A person commits an offence if he belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation. (2) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove- (a) that the organisation was not proscribed on the last (or only) occasion on which he became a member or began to profess to be a member, and (b) that he has not taken part in the activities of the organisation at any time while it was proscribed. (3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable- (a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, to a fine or to both, or (b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both. Support. 12. - (1) A person commits an offence if- (a) he invites support for a proscribed organisation, and (b) the support is not, or is not restricted to, the provision of money or other property (within the meaning of section 15). (2) A person commits an offence if he arranges, manages or assists in arranging or managing a meeting which he knows is- (a) to support a proscribed organisation, (b) to further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or (c) to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation. (3) A person commits an offence if he addresses a meeting and- (a) the purpose of his address is to encourage support for a proscribed organisation or to further its activities, or (b) he knows that the meeting is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation. (4) In subsections (2) and (3) "meeting" means a meeting of three or more persons, whether or not the public are admitted. (5) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable- (a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, to a fine or to both, or (b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both. Uniform. 13. - (1) A person in a public place commits an offence if he- (a) wears an item of clothing, or (b) wears, carries or displays an article, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation. (3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to- (a) imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, (b) a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or (c) both. Terrorist property. 14. - (1) In this Act "terrorist property" means- (a) money or other property which is likely to be used for the purposes of terrorism (including any resources of a proscribed organisation), (b) proceeds of the commission of acts of terrorism, and (c) proceeds of acts carried out for the purposes of terrorism. (2) In subsection (1)- (a) a reference to proceeds of an act includes a reference to any property which wholly or partly, and directly or indirectly, represents the proceeds of the act (including payments or other rewards in connection with its commission), and (b) the reference to an organisation's resources includes a reference to any money or other property which is applied or made available, or is to be applied or made available, for use by the organisation. Fund-raising. 15. - (1) A person commits an offence if he- (a) invites another to provide money or other property, and (b) intends that it should be used, or has reasonable cause to suspect that it may be used, for the purposes of terrorism. (2) A person commits an offence if he- (a) receives money or other property, and (b) intends that it should be used, or has reasonable cause to suspect that it may be used, for the purposes of terrorism. (3) A person commits an offence if he- (a) provides money or other property, and (b) knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that it will or may be used for the purposes of terrorism. (4) In this section a reference to the provision of money or other property is a reference to its being given, lent or otherwise made available, whether or not for consideration. Use and possession. 16. - (1) A person commits an offence if he uses money or other property for the purposes of terrorism. (2) A person commits an offence if he- (a) possesses money or other property, and (b) intends that it should be used, or has reasonable cause to suspect that it may be used, for the purposes of terrorism. Funding arrangements. 17. A person commits an offence if- (a) he enters into or becomes concerned in an arrangement as a result of which money or other property is made available or is to be made available to another, and (b) he knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that it will or may be used for the purposes of terrorism. Money laundering. 18. - (1) A person commits an offence if he enters into or becomes concerned in an arrangement which facilitates the retention or control by or on behalf of another person of terrorist property- (a) by concealment, (b) by removal from the jurisdiction, (c) by transfer to nominees, or (d) in any other way. (2) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that he did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the arrangement related to terrorist property. Disclosure of information: duty. 19. - (1) This section applies where a person- (a) believes or suspects that another person has committed an offence under any of sections 15 to 18, and (b) bases his belief or suspicion on information which comes to his attention in the course of a trade, profession, business or employment. (2) The person commits an offence if he does not disclose to a constable as soon as is reasonably practicable- (a) his belief or suspicion, and (b) the information on which it is based. (8) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable- (a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, to a fine or to both, or (b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both. Disclosure of information: permission. 20. - (1) A person may disclose to a constable- (a) a suspicion or belief that any money or other property is terrorist property or is derived from terrorist property; (b) any matter on which the suspicion or belief is based. (2) A person may make a disclosure to a constable in the circumstances mentioned in section 19(1) and (2). (3) Subsections (1) and (2) shall have effect notwithstanding any restriction on the disclosure of information imposed by statute or otherwise. (4) Where- (a) a person is in employment, and (b) his employer has established a procedure for the making of disclosures of the kinds mentioned in subsection (1) and section 19(2), subsections (1) and (2) shall have effect in relation to that person as if any reference to disclosure to a constable included a reference to disclosure in accordance with the procedure. Cooperation with police. 21. - (1) A person does not commit an offence under any of sections 15 to 18 if he is acting with the express consent of a constable. (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), a person does not commit an offence under any of sections 15 to 18 by involvement in a transaction or arrangement relating to money or other property if he discloses to a constable- (a) his suspicion or belief that the money or other property is terrorist property, and (b) the information on which his suspicion or belief is based. Penalties. 22. A person guilty of an offence under any of sections 15 to 18 shall be liable- (a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years, to a fine or to both, or (b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both. Forfeiture. 23. - (1) The court by or before which a person is convicted of an offence under any of sections 15 to 18 may make a forfeiture order in accordance with the provisions of this section. (6) Where a person is convicted of an offence under any of sections 15 to 18, the court may order the forfeiture of any money or other property which wholly or partly, and directly or indirectly, is received by any person as a payment or other reward in connection with the commission of the offence. Seizure of terrorist cash 24. - (1) In sections 25 to 31 "authorised officer" means any of the following- (a) a constable, (b) a customs officer, and (c) an immigration officer. (2) In sections 25 to 31 "cash" means- (a) coins and notes in any currency, (b) postal orders, (c) travellers' cheques, (d) bankers' drafts, and (e) such other kinds of monetary instrument as the Secretary of State may specify by order. Seizure and detention. 25. - (1) An authorised officer may seize and detain any cash to which this section applies if he has reasonable grounds for suspecting that- (a) it is intended to be used for the purposes of terrorism, (b) it forms the whole or part of the resources of a proscribed organisation, or (c) it is terrorist property within the meaning given in section 14(1)(b) or (c). (2) In subsection (1)(b) the reference to an organisation's resources includes a reference to any cash which is applied or made available, or is to be applied or made available, for use by the organisation. (3) This section applies to cash which- (a) is being imported into or exported from the United Kingdom, (b) is being brought to any place in the United Kingdom for the purpose of being exported from the United Kingdom, (4) Subject to subsection (5), cash seized under this section shall be released not later than the end of the period of 48 hours beginning with the time when it is seized. (5) Where an order is made under section 26 in relation to cash seized, it may be detained during the period specified in the order. Continued detention. 26. - (1) An authorised officer or the Commissioners of Customs and Excise may apply to a magistrates' court for an order under this section in relation to cash seized under section 25. (2) An order under this section- (a) shall authorise the further detention under section 25 of the cash to which it relates for a period specified in the order, (b) shall specify a period which ends not later than the end of the period of three months beginning with the date of the order, and (c) shall require notice to be given to the person from whom the cash was seized and to any other person who is affected by and specified in the order. (3) An application for an order under this section may be granted only if the court is satisfied- (a) that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the cash is cash of a kind mentioned in section 25(1)(a), (b) or (c), and (b) that the continued detention of the cash is justified pending completion of an investigation of its origin or derivation or pending a determination whether to institute criminal proceedings (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) which relate to the cash. (4) More than one order may be made under this section in relation to particular cash; but cash shall not be detained by virtue of an order under this section after the end of the period of two years beginning with the date when the first order under this section was made in relation to it. Detained cash. 27. - (1) Cash detained under section 25 by virtue of an order under section 26 shall, unless required as evidence of an offence, be held in an interest bearing account; and the interest accruing on the cash shall be added to it on its release or forfeiture. (2) Any of the following persons may apply to a magistrates' court for a direction that cash detained under section 25 be released- (a) the person from whom the cash was seized, (b) the person by or on whose behalf it was being imported, exported or brought as described in section 25(3), and (c) any other person. (3) A magistrates' court shall grant an application under subsection (2) if satisfied- (a) that section 26(3)(a) or (b) no longer applies, or (b) that the detention of the cash is for any other reason no longer justified. (4) An authorised officer may release cash detained under section 25 if- (a) he is satisfied that its detention is no longer justified, and (b) he has notified the magistrates' court who made the order by virtue of which the cash is being detained under section 25. (5) Cash detained under section 25 shall not be released under this section- (a) while proceedings on an application for its forfeiture under section 28 have not been concluded, or (b) while proceedings, whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, which relate to the cash have not been concluded. Forfeiture. 28. - (1) An authorised officer or the Commissioners of Customs and Excise may apply to a magistrates' court for an order forfeiting cash being detained under section 25. (2) A magistrates' court may grant an application only if satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the cash is cash of a kind mentioned in section 25(1)(a), (b) or (c). (3) An order may be made under this section whether or not proceedings are brought against any person for an offence with which the cash is connected. Treatment of forfeited cash. 30. Any cash to which a forfeiture order under section 28 applies or accrued interest thereon shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund- (a) after the end of the period within which an appeal may be brought under section 29 (1) or (6), or (b) where an appeal is brought under section 29(1) or (6), after the appeal is determined or otherwise disposed of. Terrorist: interpretation. 39. - (1) In this Part "terrorist" means a person who- (a) has committed an offence under any of sections 11, 12, 15 to 18, 53 and 55 to 57, or (b) is or has been concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. (2) The reference in subsection (1)(b) to a person who has been concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism includes a reference to a person who has been, whether before or after the passing of this Act, concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism within the meaning given by section 1. Arrest without warrant. 40. - (1) A constable may arrest without a warrant a person whom he reasonably suspects to be a terrorist. (2) Where a person is arrested under this section the provisions of Schedule 7 (detention: treatment, review and extension) shall apply. (3) Subject to subsections (4) to (7), a person detained under this section shall (unless detained under any other power) be released not later than the end of the period of 48 hours beginning- (a) with the time of his arrest under this section, or (b) if he was being detained under Schedule 6 when he was arrested under this section, with the time when his examination under that Schedule began. (4) If on a review of a person's detention under Part II of Schedule 7 the review officer does not authorise continued detention, the person shall (unless detained under any other power) be released. (5) Where a police officer intends to apply for a warrant under Part III of that Schedule extending a person's detention, the person may be detained pending the making of the application. (6) Where an application is being made or has been made under Part III of that Schedule for a warrant extending person's detention, he may be detained pending the conclusion of proceedings on the application. (7) Where a warrant is issued under Part III of that Schedule in respect of a person's detention, he may be detained, subject to paragraph 33 of that Schedule, during the period specified in the warrant. Search of premises. 41. - (1) A justice of the peace may on the application of a constable issue a warrant in relation to specified premises if he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person whom the constable reasonably suspects to be a person falling within section 39(1)(b) is to be found there. (2) A warrant under this section shall authorise any constable to enter and search the specified premises for the purpose of arresting the person referred to in subsection (1) under section 40. Search of persons. 42. - (1) A constable may stop and search a person whom he reasonably suspects to be a terrorist to discover whether he has in his possession anything which may constitute evidence that he is a terrorist. (2) A constable may search a person arrested under section 40 to discover whether he has in his possession anything which may constitute evidence that he is a terrorist. (3) A search of a person under this section must be carried out by someone of the same sex. Authorisations. 43. - (1) An authorisation under this subsection authorises any constable in uniform to stop a vehicle in an area or at a place specified in the authorisation and to search- (a) the vehicle; (b) the driver of the vehicle; (c) a passenger in the vehicle; (d) anything in the vehicle or carried by the driver or a passenger. (2) An authorisation under this subsection authorises any constable in uniform to stop a pedestrian in an area or at a place specified in the authorisation and to search- (a) the pedestrian; (b) anything carried by him. (3) An authorisation under subsection (1) or (2) may be given only if the person giving it considers it expedient for the prevention of acts of terrorism. Port and border controls. 52. - (1) Schedule 6 (port and border controls) shall have effect. (2) The Secretary of State may by order repeal paragraph 16 of Schedule 6. (3) The powers conferred by Schedule 6 shall be exercisable notwithstanding the rights conferred by section 1 of the Immigration Act 1971 (general principles regulating entry into and staying in the United Kingdom). Weapons training. 53. - (1) A person commits an offence if he provides instruction or training in the making or use of- (a) firearms, (b) explosives, or (c) chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. (2) A person commits an offence if he receives instruction or training in the making or use of- (a) firearms, (b) explosives, or (c) chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. (3) A person commits an offence if he invites another to receive instruction or training and the receipt- (a) would constitute an offence under subsection (2), or (b) would constitute an offence under subsection (2) but for the fact that it is to take place outside the United Kingdom. (4) For the purpose of subsections (1) and (3)- (a) a reference to the provision of instruction includes a reference to making it available either generally or to one or more specific persons, and (b) an invitation to receive instruction or training may be either general or addressed to one or more specific persons. (5) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section in relation to instruction or training to prove that his action or involvement was wholly for a purpose other than assisting, preparing for or participating in terrorism. (6) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable- (a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, to a fine or to both, or (b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both. (7) A court by or before which a person is convicted of an offence under this section may order the forfeiture of anything which the court considers to have been in the person's possession for purposes connected with the offence. Directing terrorist organisation. 55. - (1) A person commits an offence if he directs, at any level, the activities of an organisation which is concerned in the commission of acts of terrorism. (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life. Possession for terrorist purposes. 56. - (1) A person commits an offence if he possesses an article in circumstances which give rise to a reasonable suspicion that his possession is for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism. (2) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that his possession of the article was not for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism. (3) In proceedings for an offence under this section, if it is proved that an article- (a) was on any premises at the same time as the accused, or (b) was on premises of which the accused was the occupier or which he habitually used otherwise than as a member of the public, the court may assume that the accused possessed the article, unless he proves that he did not know of its presence on the premises or that he had no control over it. (4) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable- (a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, to a fine or to both, or (b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both. Collection of information. 57. - (1) A person commits an offence if- (a) he collects or makes a record of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, or (b) he possesses a document or record containing information of that kind. (2) In this section "record" includes a photographic or electronic record. (3) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had a reasonable excuse for his action or possession. (4) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable- (a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, to a fine or to both, or (b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both. (5) A court by or before which a person is convicted of an offence under this section may order the forfeiture of any document or record containing information of the kind mentioned in subsection (1)(a). (6) Before making an order under subsection (5) a court must give an opportunity to be heard to any person, other than the convicted person, who claims to be the owner of or otherwise interested in anything which can be forfeited under that subsection. (7) An order under subsection (5) shall not come into force until there is no further possibility of it being varied, or set aside, on appeal (disregarding any power of a court to grant leave to appeal out of time). England and Wales. 58. - (1) A person commits an offence if- (a) he incites another person to commit an act of terrorism wholly or partly outside the United Kingdom, and (b) the act would, if committed in England and Wales, constitute one of the offences listed in subsection (2). (2) Those offences are- (a) murder, (b) an offence under section 18 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 (wounding with intent), (c) an offence under section 23 or 24 of that Act (poison), (d) an offence under section 28 or 29 of that Act (explosions), and (e) an offence under section 1(2) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 (endangering life by damaging property). (3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable to any penalty to which he would be liable on conviction of the offence listed in subsection (2) which corresponds to the act which he incites. (4) For the purposes of subsection (1) it is immaterial whether or not the person incited is in the United Kingdom at the time of the incitement. (5) Nothing in this section imposes criminal liability on any person acting on behalf of, or holding office under, the Crown. Terrorist bombing: jurisdiction. 61. - (1) If- (a) a person does anything outside the United Kingdom as an act of terrorism or for the purposes of terrorism, and (b) his action would have constituted the commission of one of the offences listed in subsection (2) if it had been done in the United Kingdom, he shall be guilty of the offence. (2) The offences referred to in subsection (1)(b) are- (a) an offence under section 2, 3 or 5 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 (causing explosions, &c.), (b) an offence under section 1 of the Biological Weapons Act 1974 (biological weapons), and (c) an offence under section 2 of the Chemical Weapons Act 1996 (chemical weapons). Terrorist finance: jurisdiction. 62. - (1) If- (a) a person does anything outside the United Kingdom, and (b) his action would have constituted the commission of an offence under any of sections 15 to 18 if it had been done in the United Kingdom, he shall be guilty of the offence. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), section 18(1)(b) shall be read as if for "the jurisdiction" there were substituted "a jurisdiction". Extradition. 63. - (1) The Extradition Act 1989 shall be amended Police powers. 113. - (1) A power conferred by virtue of this Act on a constable- (a) is additional to powers which he has at common law or by virtue of any other enactment, and (b) shall not be taken to affect those powers. (2) A constable may if necessary use reasonable force for the purpose of exercising a power conferred on him by virtue of this Act (apart from paragraphs 2 and 3 of Schedule 6). Powers to stop and search. 115. - (1) A power to search premises conferred by virtue of this Act shall be taken to include power to search a container. (2) A power conferred by virtue of this Act to stop a person includes power to stop a vehicle (other than an aircraft which is airborne). (3) A person commits an offence if he fails to stop a vehicle when required to do so by virtue of this section. (4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3) shall be liable on summary conviction to- (a) imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, (b) a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or (c) both. Interpretation. 119. In this Act- {d3} "act" and "action" include omission, "article" includes substance and any other thing, "explosive" means- (a) an article or substance manufactured for the purpose of producing a practical effect by explosion, (b) materials for making an article or substance within paragraph (a), (c) anything used or intended to be used for causing or assisting in causing an explosion, and (d) a part of anything within paragraph (a) or (c), "firearm" includes an air gun or air pistol, "organisation" includes any association or combination of persons,
NS

Re: New Terrorism act
Al-Basha
01/22/01 at 02:25:26
Salamu Aliakom, Sounds very familiar to secret evidence/anti terrorism act here in the US, which of note Bush "promised" the American Muslim Council to repeal if the Muslims voted for him. Not that I'm saying he will actually do that of course, we all know Western politics is a lot of hot air ...

Re: New Terrorism act
Moe
01/26/01 at 15:23:24
New UK terrorism law sparks dispute By Samanta Sen http://www.dawn.com/2001/01/24/int16.htm LONDON: A controversial new Act against terrorism comes into force in Britain on Feb 19. The Act, which broadens the definition of terrorism, has immediately put the British government into conflict with several political and human rights groups. It has signalled the beginning of a legal dispute that the new British law might stand in contravention of European law to which it subscribes. The new Terrorism Act 2000 widens the definition of terrorism beyond terrorism related to Northern Ireland. The new act applies itself to international terrorism, with incitement of terrorist actions abroad now made an offence. It covers ideological and religious motivation for terrorist acts. The government will have much strengthened powers to deal with terrorist finances. The new Act is aimed clearly at Islamic groups that have been recruiting Mujahideen for actions abroad. Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammad, who heads the group Al Muhajiroun, has said that his group is raising money for Mujahideen fighting in Chechnya and Kashmir. A spokesperson for the group Al Madad said that "over the past five years we have sent recruits to two training camps abroad." The number of youths sent "comes to figures with three zeroes," he said. He said that the recruits are sent to two training camps, "one in the Arabic world and one on the Indian subcontinent." There have been other indications that young British Muslims have been fighting wars abroad. A British youth, Omar Shikh, was one of the three hostages released after the hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight in December 1999. Another youth from Birmingham was reported killed in a suicide attack in Srinagar, capital of Indian controlled Kashmir. Groups like Al Madad and Al Muhajiroun see the new British Act as a threat to their independence. "We will have to go underground or leave the country once this law comes into effect," the Al Madad said. The Islamic groups say that the mujahideen they send are freedom fighters who only attack military targets. "We are opposed to terrorism and any attack on civilians of whatever religion or belief," Bakri Mohammed said. Home Secretary, Jack Straw, defended the expansion of the Act. "A revised definition of terrorism and extension of the powers to proscribe organisations concerning terrorist activities, contained in the Bill, would send a clear message to terrorists that the UK Government will not put up with organisations or individuals who use violence for their cause." The new British law will be permanent. Earlier parliamentary acts on terrorism have been renewable year on year dependijg on the situation within Northern Ireland. As a concession to political and civil liberty groups the new Act makes two changes to the old Prevention of Terrorism Act of 1989. Extensions of detention will now be determined judicially, and not by the Secretary of State. Provisions for issuing exclusion orders, which in effect meant that a person could be exiled internally in Britain, have been dropped altogether. These changes along with the new powers mean "we have got the balance right," Straw said in defence of the new Act, which was passed through Parliament with the support of the opposition Conservative Party. That is not good enough, according to Liberty, the civil rights group that has taken a lead in opposing the new Act. "The provisions in the bill will create twin track systems of justice," Liberty says. "People suspected of "terrorist" offences would have fewer rights than other criminals. Those motivated by political or religious factors when committing a crime will have fewer rights than those who assault for revenge or greed." Several leading lawyers working for Liberty say that the Act contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights. Article 6(2) of the Convention provides that "everyone charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law." Clauses 55 and 56 place a "reverse onus" on an accused to prove innocence rather than on the prosecution to prove guilt, they point out. The two clauses make it an offence to collect or make a record of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, or to possess a document containing such information unless the defendant can establish reasonable excuse for the allegedly criminal action or possession. It would be for the accused to prove that such possession did not amount to an offence under the Act. -Dawn/InterPress Service.

Re: New Terrorism act
chachi
01/31/01 at 19:51:16
Law cannot go where enforcement does not follow I look forward to seeing the strawman implementing this, he's gonna dig himself into more and more legislation and eventually the act will basically criminalise 99% of the uk muslim population

Re: New Terrorism act
Moe
03/03/01 at 08:51:58
GROUPS BANNED IN UK UNDER TERRORISM ACT 2000 Britain designated 21 groups on Wednesday as "terrorist", including Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels, under a new anti-terrorism law designed to halt funding and support for UK-based militant groups. The full list of groups from the Home Office follows: Al-Qaida -- Egyptian Islamic Jihad -- Al-Gama'at al-Islamiya (Egyptian militant group)-- Armed Islamic Group (Algerian guerrilla group) -- Salafist Group for Call and Combat (from Algeria) -- Babbar Khalsa (seeking an independent Sikh homeland) -- International Sikh Youth Federation -- Harakat Mujahideen (seeking independent Kashmir)-- Jaish-e-Mohammed (also Kashmiri) -- Lashkar-e-Taiba (Pakistan-based Kashmiri group) -- Liberation Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam -- Hizballah External Security Organisation (Home Office spelling) -- Hamas Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades -- Palestinian Islamic Jihad -- Abu Nidal Organisation -- Islamic Army of Aden -- Mujaheddin el-Khalq -- Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) -- Revolutionary Peoples' Liberation Party-Front (Turkey) -- Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, ETA (Spain) -- 17 November Revolutionary Organisation (Greece)

Re: New Terrorism act
Kashif
03/03/01 at 19:47:13
assalaamu alaikum Jack Straw said that this Bill was not targetting Muslims. Are my eyes deceiving me or are 14 of the 21 groups listed Muslim groups? Kashif Wa Salaam
NS

Re: New Terrorism act
chachi
03/06/01 at 15:51:56
Mad Jack is making his targets all too clear *lol* however i can see all muslims in the police and law enforcement agencies being seen as informers...something that will not make them too popular and will definitely hinder their work..who do you think most muslims will view better ...a muslim criminal or a member of their community who is doing the zionist entities dirty work..in my neck of pakistan people like that are disowned by their parents and are not allowed muslim burial rights...

Re: New Terrorism act
Kashif
03/06/01 at 18:05:07
assalaamu alaikum chachi man its worse than this. The Police and other security branches of the government openly recruit informers through asian media such as Eastern Eye & Zee TV. They aren't even covert about it. Kashif Wa Salaam
NS

Re: New Terrorism act
muhannad
03/08/01 at 13:55:43
[quote]The Police and other security branches of the government openly recruit informers through asian media such as Eastern Eye & Zee TV. They aren't even covert about it. [/quote] Hmm, I didn't know you were an avid fan of Zee TV !?
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