New Terrorism Act comes into force

[Annie]

Another great day for our democracy.

Annie


New Terrorism Act comes into force Thursday April 13, 06:47 AM
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New measures to outlaw the glorification of terrorism and distribution of terrorist publications have come into force.

The Terrorism Act 2006 enables organisations to be banned for those offences.

The controversial anti-terror plans faced stiff opposition in the House of Lords before they finally became law, while some lawyers questioned the legal definition of glorification.

Peers rejected the proposals five times before voting them through last month. A total of 17 Labour MPs voted with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in opposition to the measures.

The glorification proposal was introduced in the immediate wake of the July 7 London bombings last year as part of the Prime Minister's package of measures to clamp down on "preachers of hate".

Civil liberties campaigners and opposition politicians claimed that such actions were already banned and warned that innocent people could be caught up in the ban.

Previously, Tony Blair said the law would allow the police to take "far stronger action" against people who indirectly incited terrorism. He added it would enable action to be taken against people with placards who glorified the July 7 bombers during the London protests against the cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad.

The act also creates new offences of undertaking terrorism training, preparation of or planning a terrorist act and disseminating terrorist publications.

Plans to detain terror suspects for up to 28 days rather than the existing 14 will come into force later following consultation with police chief constables.

Mr Blair suffered his first ever Commons defeat when MPs rejected a Government bid to increase the time terror suspects could be held to up 90 days without charge.

[markburdge]

This legislation could ultimately work in our favour.

Once we establish that 9-11 was a terrorist act committed by the US governent, we can then charge Tony Blair with 'glorifying it' !!

OK, it's a long shot, but a bit of lateral thinking is required to address this over the top legislation.

[andrewwatson]

I'm thinking the same thing, and it's bringing a smile to my face.