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The clauses of the bill

The Big Issue | 17.02.2001 12:15

The following is based on an explanation of some of the clauses of the new terrorism act which was recently published in the Big Issue.

THE NEW TERRORIST BILL

Clause 1 - creates new terrorists (redefines terrorism to include the 'threat' of 'serious violence' against 'property'.)

Clause 3 - ban the dissenters (outlaws organisations the government doesn't like. The paper hinted that the 'scope is very wide'.)

Clause 11 - gag the sympathisers (five years in jail if you speak at a meeting where there is a member of an outlawed organisation.)

Clause 18 - silence the press (five years in jail if you fail to report information which may lead to a terrorist act.)

Clause 42 - harrass the masses (new stop and search powers. It is an offence if you are in possession of, or associated with, an article that the authorities believe is connected with terrorism - a pair of scissors was mentioned in the standing committee).

Clause 54 - jail 'leaders' for life (are you the contact for anti-GM actions? That carries a LIFE SENTENCE).

Clauses 57-59 - ban solidarity (the so-called 'Mandela' clauses. If you think you can support freedom fighters, think again. That's incitement).

ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS?

Of course there are! Anyone holding office under the Crown is excluded - ie government ministers (not those politicians trying to seek election but ONLY those already in the ministry!!!)

The Big Issue

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

Right is wrong?

17.02.2001 19:18

So if I happen to glare at a McDonald's I can be arrested? If the government dosen't like the Tufty Club, it can be banned? How would I know what groups people at my meetings affiliate too...have you got to be psychic too? It seems the entire population is a terrorist, except sitting MP's. Wouldn't it be more precise to reverse that statement? Are the alarm bells ringing yet? That's a call to mass resistance!

Baffled

who need rights anyway, right?

18.02.2001 20:12

I'd LIKE to say i think that law sucks, but then that might be concieved as a threat to the next adolf hitler wannabie intent on taking over the world. or to Tony Blair. Still there is one solution : Lets all become MP's.

No...Wait... surely having any free thinking individual not controlled by the a)corperations b)media, entering into any sort of position of power would be a threat to the goverment? Oh! the terror! they'd only have to spread the word that you were using your brain, and the next thing, you'd be locked up. And if that didn't work they could just lie, And say you insulted Mr Blair's handbag.

Bubblegum
mail e-mail: bubblegum@antisocial.com

Sussed

19.02.2001 19:25

I was thinking that too, if I become an MP, I can hold illegal meetings, fail to disclose terrorist plots, harass the masses etc. Hey wait a minute, that's what their doing now!

More Baffled

Actual text of the Bill?

25.02.2001 08:20

I see that these are explanations but i dont see the actual text can someone email me a link to the text of it? I live in the States and I keep and Eye out for these kinds of thefts of Freedoms I didnt know it was this bad in the Uk
Bon Courage Chaps.

prole001
mail e-mail: Brkoth@hotmail.com