Community groups across the UK and human rights organisations have come together to campaign against proposed new anti-terror laws.
The Queen’s speech next week is likely to announce a new Counter Terrorism Bill, which will:
- Extend pre-charge detention in terrorism cases from 28 days to 56 or even 90 days;
- Seek to create a new offence of gathering information which could be used for terrorism, even where no intention of such use can be proved;
- Extend powers of surveillance and data exchange between agencies, strengthening existing police state powers;
- Subject persons under control orders to additional random searches and house invasions;
- Like the anti-terrorism Acts of 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2006 refer to a broad definition of terrorism which includes even any threat of damage to property, and criminalise ordinary political activities of speech and association.
The National Campaign Against Anti-Terror Powers, which involves over twenty-one organisations, has organised a month of action; a parliamentary lobby is taking place on 29 November, 2007 followed by a public meeting hosted by Lord Rea. To see what action you can take, download the document below.
Related links
Dowload the Counter Terrorism Bill briefing document (word doc, 114kb)