British government proposes yet more terror laws
The British government is proposing yet another “anti-terror” act to go along with the Terrorism Act 2000, Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 and Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005. It appears the government is not content with such measures as:
- defining terrorism so broadly as to encompass mere civil disobedience,
- making it an offence to possess information likely to be of use to terrorists, and
- enabling the courts, at the Home Secretary’s request, to impose curfews, internet bans, restrictions on who you can associate with or communicate with and even full blown house arrest on someone without a trial and without them getting to see the evidence or accusations against them.
Amongst other things, under the proposed bill:
- the police will be able to hold terrorist suspects without charge for upto 3 months,
- it will be an offence to possess, publish, sell, distribute or otherwise make available publications that either encourage terrorist acts or are of assistance in the commission or preparation of terrorist acts.
The bill also includes several reversals of the burden of proof.
Samizdata and Spy.org.uk both have commentary on this bill.