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.
