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Anti-Terrorism Measures Violate International Human Rights Standards |
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Friday, 25 November 2005New measures by the British government to combat terrorism in the wake of the July 2005 London bombings violate international human rights standards and threaten to undermine democracy in the United Kingdom, warns a new report by ARTICLE 19.
Britain's Home Office has introduced a new policy that gives the Home Secretary powers to deport non-British citizens or bar individuals from entering the country if they are suspected of engaging in what the government calls "unacceptable behaviour."
The list of "unacceptable behaviours" includes writing, publishing and distributing materials or delivering public speeches that "foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs, seek to provoke others to terrorist acts, or foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK."
ARTICLE 19 says most of the definitions of "unacceptable behaviour" are too vaguely worded, lack a causal relationship with terrorism, or include behaviour that cannot legitimately be restricted.
"Mere discussion of terrorist acts or the expression of extreme viewpoints that do not constitute incitement to violence should never lead to exclusion or expulsion," the group argues. Under international free expression standards, "only direct threats to legitimate interests may warrant restricting a fundamental human right."
The criteria also create a new basis for deporting individuals to countries where torture is prevalent, in contravention of Britain's obligations under the international Convention against Torture.
Read the report here:
http://tinyurl.com/bu3ld
Visit these links:
- ARTICLE 19: http://www.article19.org
- The New Home Office Policy:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=1351
- Johannesburg Principles on National Security and Freedom of Expression:
http://www.article19.org/pdfs/standards/joburgprinciples.pdf
- Convention on Torture: http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/h_cat39.htm
- Council of Europe Guidelines on Anti-Terrorism and Human Rights:
http://tinyurl.com/brvhw
Source: IFEX |
Friday, 25 November 2005
UK and Human Rights
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