On Wed, 14 Sep 2005, S M wrote:
Freenet is starting to look invigorated which is good. There seems to be a
slow crackdown on freedom of speech such as against blogging in Iran and the
army / police preventing reporters from taking picture of Katrina's
aftermath. Thus I am sure people would agree the need for a Freenet has been
growing over time.
The British seem to be anxiously cracking down on freedom of speech as
well..
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,15935,1571350,00.html?=rss
Clarke's draft bill proposes new offence of glorification
· Defendants found guilty could face five years in jail
· Liberty warns loose talk will become a criminal act
Alan Travis and Rosie Cowan
Friday September 16, 2005
The Guardian
The government's proposed anti-terrorism laws published yesterday are so
widely drawn that anyone who "glorifies, exalts or celebrates" any
terrorist act committed over the past 20 years could face a sentence of up
to five years in prison.
But the small print of the draft terrorism bill published yesterday shows
that the home secretary is preparing to go even further and draw up a list
of historical terrorist acts which if "glorified" could mean a criminal
offence being committed.
A Home Office spokeswoman said 9/11 was such an example; it would become
a "listed event", the appropriate ban lasting longer than 20 years.
However, the 1916 Irish Easter Rising would be exempt.
Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty, said the offence of
"glorification" was so broad it meant the home secretary was now acquiring
powers to determine which historical figures were terrorists and which
freedom fighters.
The home secretary, Charles Clarke, said the power was needed because the
"celebration of despicable terrorist acts over the past weeks has only
served to inflame already sensitive community relations in the UK". But he
acknowledged that the proper exercise of freedom of speech meant the
offence had to be carefully drawn. His proposals came as it emerged that
the Crown Prosecution Service was preparing guidelines for
"intelligence-only" interviews, whereby terrorism suspects could give
information which would not be used against them. Senior prosecutors are
convinced that this, plus other measures such as intercept evidence and
plea bargaining, would strengthen their hand against international
terrorism and organised crime.
The CPS set up a dedicated counter-terrorism division in May. The crucial
timing of terror-related arrests, when there is evidence to prosecute but
before an atrocity happens, means that specialist prosecutors now liaise
closely with police and security services from the start of inquiries. But
prosecutors believe that formalising intelligence-only interviews could
persuade suspects to turn informant.
The anti-terror proposals published yesterday also contain a criminal
offence of "dissemination of terrorist publications", which the home
secretary said was aimed at radical material distributed by extremist
bookshops.
"We wish to make it clear that it shall be illegal to disseminate both
material that may incite terrorism, and material that may be of use to
terrorists, such as training guides," Mr Clarke said in a letter to the
shadow home secretary, David Davis, and to his counterpart, the Liberals'
Mark Oaten. An earlier draft of the letter made clear that powers allowing
the police "to close down places of worship used to foment extremism" had
been dropped.
Two other measures outlined by the prime minister - refusal of asylum to
anyone who connected with terrorism anywhere in the world, and a maximum
time limit on extradition cases - were also absent from yesterday's
package.
But the cross-party consensus on anti-terrorism legislation is likely to
be put under strain by the decision to push ahead with plans to extend the
time, from 14 days to up to three months, for the time that suspects can
be held without charge The draft bill says the police will have to apply
to a district judge for an extension every seven days.
Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats voiced strong concern
about this proposal yesterday and an earlier draft of Mr Clarke's letter
revealed that even he was not fully convinced. Mr Davis said he welcomed
the package but his party was concerned about the three months of
detention. Mr Oaten said the proposal was "totally unacceptable".
Liberty said the draft bill would reintroduce internment and make loose
talk a criminal offence. Justice, the all-party law reform group, said the
proposed offences were largely redundant and the extension for detention
was excessive.
Clampdown and controls
Encouraging and glorifying terrorism: Two offences, carrying a jail
sentence of up to seven years. Covers published statements, including
internet ones, which amount to the "direct or indirect encouragement" of
terrorist acts or those which "glorify, exalt, or celebrate" such acts.
Does not cover statements on events of more than 20 years ago; but some
events are absent from the limit. Otherwise, 9/11 is "listed", the 1916
Easter Rising is not.
Disseminating terrorist publications: Covers radical written material from
extremist bookshops. Includes training manuals.
Preparing terrorist acts and training: Carries a life sentence. Anyone
involved in instruction concerning using "noxious substances" or adapting
any techniques for use in terrorism will face a 10-year sentence. An
offence of "attending a terrorist training camp" anywhere in the world
will also carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Banning extremist groups: Ban extended from those directly involved in
terrorism to those who "glorify, exalt or celebrate" terrorist acts.
Hizb-ut-Tahrir has been named by Tony Blair as a target. Also provisions
for preventing groups escaping the ban by changing their name.
Making and holding radioactive devices and damaging nuclear
facilities:Extends the offence of criminal trespass to licensed civil
nuclear sites.
Supergrasses: Sentence discount of up to 60% to give incentive to divulge
information.
Detention of terrorist suspects: The maximum period of detention without
charge is to be extended from 14 days to up to three months.
Phonetap evidence used in trials: Work with security services exploring
possibility of safeguarding sources and methods. Completed by December.
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