Lobby against the Terrorism Bill
The Terrorism Bill 2005 passed its 3rd reading in the House of Commons on 9 November 2005. Our campaign against the Bill will continue until it has completed its passage through both houses of Parliament. If the Lords introduce amendments, it will have to be debated again in the Commons
On 10 October, CAMPACC and SACC called on everyone concerned about civil liberties and human rights to lobby their MPs about the Bill. Liberty, Amnesty, Stop the War Coalition, CND and MAB have also called for MPs to be lobbied urgently. This opens up the possibility of a broadest possible coalition to oppose the bill. SACC supports this coalition against the key elements of the new Bill, while continuing to oppose the whole spectrum of 'anti-terrorist' legislation introduced since 2000.
This informal coalition held a mass lobby of Parliament on 9 November, with people attending Parliament to speak to their MP about the Terrorism Bill. They asked MPs to support amendments to the Bill to remove the sections that would:
- outlaw the 'glorification' of terrorism
- ban non-violent organizations
- extend the period of pre-charge detention of suspects from 14 days to three months
MPs voted against by 322 votes to 291 against the section of the Terrorism Bill that would have allowed police to hold "terrorism suspects" for up to 90 days before bringing a charge. But they approved 28-day detention and they approved the new offence of 'encouraging' or 'glorifying' terrorism.
Blair defeated on Terror Plans
The House of Lords debated the Terrorism Bill on 13 December. Baroness Scotland of Asthal said that the government would adjust its plans to create a new offence of "encouragement" of terrorism. The change is purely cosmetic.
The Bill would make it an offence to encourage the public to commit acts of terrorism. The problem is that "terrorism" means "new terrorism" - the wide new definition created by the Terrorism Act 2000 - and "the public" means any public in the world. Glorification of actions in the "past, present or future" is taken to be a form of encouragement. This part of Terrorism Bill is the most serious attack yet on freedom of expression, and the promised government amendment will make no material difference to it. It will still be offence to encourage people to cause serious damage to property, or do something that risks public health and safety in, say, Burma or Zimbabwe or Iraq with the aim of influencing the government there.
Please tell your MP about your concerns - either in writing or by phone, email or fax. Better still, talk to your MP in person. It's often more effective to do this as a group. Please contact SACC if you're planning to do this - we may be able to help put you in touch with other people in your constituency.
Please continue to gather signatures for our petition - see below
Resources to support your lobbying
- E-petition - please sign now, and forward it to a friend
E-petition - Printable petition - please collect signatures in your workplace, in your community, at campaign stalls etc.
Download now
pdf document (29 KB) - A short briefing for the lobby
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pdf document (40KB)
view as a web page (opens in new window) - A sample letter to enable you to write a letter to your MP.
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Word document (32 KB)
orview as a web page (opens in new window) - A detailed briefing on the governments proposals produced by civil society organisations (including the "United to Protect Our Rights" statement, supported by CAMPACC, SACC, the Stop the War Coalition, MAB and many other organisations)
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pdf document (209 KB) - Why are we against the proposed Anti-Terror legislation? - statement by the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
Statement - The Terrorism Bill (published 12 October 2005)
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pdf document (259KB) - Lobby of Parliament on the Terrorism Bill
Information about the mass lobby on 9 November from the Stop The War Coalition
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