Anti-terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Anti-terrorism - Essay Example We are here. Speak to us. Listen to us. Tell us what you think and why. The attrition of human rights by the government policy inclined to fight terrorism developed over decades in relation to the conflict in Northern Ireland, and this was given renewed impetus by the UK's actions in response to the attacks in the USA on 11 September 2001.Then came the events of 7 and 21 July 2005 in London and its suburbs, when a series of explosions rocked a business-like morning in London. Ever since the 11 September 2001 catastrophe, the UK authorities have passed a series of new laws, even though the UK already had some of the toughest "anti-terrorism" laws in Europe. These laws contain sweeping provisions that contravene human rights law, and their implementation has led to serious abuses of human rights. The shooting and killing of an innocent man in broad daylight by police officers is a stark reminder of the law and order in the UK today. People suspected of involvement in terrorism who have been detained in the UK under the new laws have found themselves in a Kafkaesque world. They have been held for years in harsh conditions on the basis of secret accusations that they are not allowed to know and therefore cannot refute. After the events of 7 and 21 July 2005 in London, more draconian measures were proposed. These included a new Terrorism Bill currently before Parliament. Some of its most sweeping and vague provisions, if enacted, would undermine the rights to freedom of expression, association, liberty and fair trial (United Kingdom, Human Rights: a broken promise, amnesty.org, referred on 15.04.2006).1 2.0 Anti Terrorism Provisions "In 1974 when the Irish Troubles once more flared up, the UK government responded with a Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The PTA made it an offence for any individual to belong to a banned group and contained special powers of arrest and detention. After 9/11, however, the Terrorism Act (TA) was hastily augmented by Parliament in the form of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act (ATCSA) in 2001. ATCSA made further provision for dealing with terrorism by freezing terrorist owned funds and property, disclosing of information, stop weapons of mass destruction, and enhancing police powers. Parliament introduced a new regime called "Control Orders" under PTA of 2005.Under this legislation the Home Secretary can, subject to judicial oversight, make orders which place a wide range of restrictions on the rights and freedoms of individuals suspected of being involved in terrorist related activities. Any individual within the UK, including