The United Kingdom battles terrorism

In February 1974, the Irish Republican Army bombed a motor coach in northern England.   Twelve soldiers and civilians died.   Later that year, the same perpetrator bombed several British pubs—28 were found dead and over 200 were injured.

The United Kingdom has an extensive history of terrorism, ranging from groups within its empire to international intimidation.   Legislation to counter the threat of terrorism is an integral component to British safety.

Legislative development

The primary component of modern anti-terrorism legislation in the United Kingdom was established following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.   The Terrorism Act 2000 outlawed terrorist groups in the UK, increased police power and created new criminal offences geared toward terrorism.

The Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 elaborated on the policies of its predecessor—it ensured the protection of aviation and nuclear agencies, discontinued terrorist funding and gave police more power to counter terrorist suspects.   However, measures under the immigration and asylum section of the law created controversy.

Thus, Part 4 of the decree was repealed in The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005.   A structure of control orders replaced it, allowing authorities to put certain restrictions and conditions on suspects (such as an earlier curfew).

The threat of international terrorism to the United Kingdom was recognized on July 7, 2005, by bomb attacks on central London.   Since then, further anti-terrorism legislation has been proposed.

Civil rights vs. civil protection

In the effort to successfully track down perpetrators, the UK's government put human rights into question for some factions.

Liberty, a leading civil rights organization in the UK, was established in 1934.   The group lobbies to Parliament to change unjust laws that undermine civil liberties and human rights.

Objections to legislation currently going through Parliament include the following: detainment of suspects for up to three months without charge, outlaw of the support of terrorism, and the expansion of the outlaw of terrorist groups (also known as proscription), such as Al Qaida.

The organization claims that anti-terrorism legislation has not significantly secured the UK from terrorist attack, rather, has impaired justice.

In a press release on Nov. 1, 2005, director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti said, “Criminalising free speech and introducing internment are dangerously counterproductive to fighting terrorism."

The answer to whether legislation in the United Kindgom exceeds its obligations or fulfills them remains to be decided.