UK

[Sanford Levinson]

Does the Blair edict to those who advocate what might be termed "state
terrorism," e.g., the assassination of foreign leaders of countries with
whom the UK is not at war.
 
sandy

________________________________

From: conlawprof-bounces at lists.ucla.edu
[mailto:conlawprof-bounces at lists.ucla.edu] On Behalf Of Paul Mullen
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2005 11:37 AM
To: conlawprof
Subject: UK



 

In a move that sparked sharp criticism from civil rights groups, the
government released a list of unacceptable activities which would
trigger deportation or an entry ban.

"The terrorist threat facing the UK remains real and significant and it
is right that the government and law enforcement agencies do everything
possible to counter it," said Interior Minister Charles Clarke.

"That includes tackling those who seek to foster hatred or promote
terrorism, sending a strong message that they are not welcome in the
UK."

Two waves of bomb attacks in London which killed 52 commuters last month
prompted a series of new anti-terrorism measures and British Prime
Minister 

Tony Blair <http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news/?p=Tony+Blair>
says the "rules of the game are changing."

The list of activities deemed unacceptable, which covers non-UK citizens
in Britain or abroad, includes expressing opinions which "foment,
justify or glorify terrorist violence" or seeking to provoke others to
commit terrorist acts.

The government said the guidelines, which take immediate effect, applied
to views conveyed through written or published material, including Web
sites, as well as public speaking.

OPPOSITION

"The proposals do nothing but unleash further Islamophobia in British
society," said the Islamic Human Rights Commission, saying the plans
represented a "criminalisation of thought."

Britain is home to 1.6 million Muslims, just under three percent of the
population. About two thirds of British Muslims hail from the Indian
subcontinent.

Some experts say Blair is belatedly responding to criticism that
Britain's tradition of granting asylum to Middle East dissidents, a
practice that earned London the tag "Londonistan," has helped foster a
dangerously radical Islamist scene.

"There's an element of this which is to prove to the British public that
the government is taking it very seriously," said Michael Clarke of
London's Center for Defense Studies.

He said the criteria would not stop determined bombers and that he
expected deportees to challenge the new plans in court.

Rights groups opposed the review of government powers.

"The vagueness and breadth of the definition of "unacceptable behavior"
and "terrorism" can lead to further injustice and risk further
undermining human rights protection in the UK," said Halya Gowan of
Amnesty International.

Civil rights group Liberty attacked any move that would lead to suspects
being sent to countries with a record of torture.

Earlier this month, Britain pledged to deport 10 people, including the
suspected spiritual leader of al Qaeda in Europe, Jordanian national Abu
Qatada.

Britain is working on agreements with a number of countries which it
says will protect any deportees from ill treatment. 

 
 
Paul Mullen
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science
Florida International University
 
mullenpf at earthlink.net
 
 

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