The government has launched its review into Britain’s counter-terrorism laws, in a move activists are calling a “once in a generation” opportunity to restore Britain’s civil liberties.

Home secretary confirmed the long-awaited review had already begun, and said it would look at six areas: the use of control orders, stop and search powers in section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and the use of terrorism legislation in relation to photography, the detention of terrorist suspects before charge, extending the use of deportations, measures to deal with organisations that promote hatred or violence, and the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (Ripa) by local authorities.

“National security is the first duty of government but we are also committed to reversing the substantial erosion of civil liberties,” Ms May said.

“I want a counter-terrorism regime that is proportionate, focused and transparent. We must ensure that in protecting public safety, the powers which we need to deal with terrorism are in keeping with Britain’s traditions of freedom and fairness.”

Politics.co.uk

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Britain’s anti-terror laws need urgent review, according to parliament’s joint committee on human rights.

Its report questioned the “permanent state of emergency” which the government has used to introduce a number of counter-terrorism measures.

“Since September 11th 2001 the government has continuously justified many of its counter-terrorism measures on the basis that there is a public emergency threatening the life of the nation,” the report stated.

“We question whether the country has been in such a state for more than eight years. This permanent state of emergency inevitably has a deleterious effect on public debate about the justification for counter-terrorism measures.”

Politics.co.uk

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The findings of the Metropolitan Police Authority that 58 children were stopped in London last year using terrorism laws must prompt the government to review the unjustifiable use of legislation introduced to fight the “threat of terrorism” in matters related to criminal disorder.

All the children stopped by the Met police using anti-terrorism laws were later released by the police and found not to be involved in terrorism.

From the findings that should enrage Londoners, Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 was used to stop 10 girls under the age of nine and 48 boys.

The London Daily News previously reported in a report 1 May 2009 that the Met Police was misusing terrorism laws which under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000; which permits police to stop and search people in areas “deemed by senior officers to be a risk of terrorism. A constable does not need to have a reasonable suspicion.”

The Anti-Terrorism Act, or Section 44, gives the police powers in specific areas, in this case London, to stop and search people without the reasonable need to suspect them of being involved in terrorism.

The London Daily News

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