The commencement tomorrow 19 February 2001 of the Terrorism Act 2000 is to be met in London by a day of action and protest. Participants aim to raise almost non-existent public awareness about the law and to refuse being relabelled as “terrorists” by the Government’s latest bit of spin.

The Act puts previous anti-terrorism laws and emergency powers on a permanent basis, despite having been repeatedly condemned by UN bodies (1)
and judgments from the European Court of Human Rights. It also redefines “terrorism” to cover many forms of civil disobedience and direct action anywhere in the world.

Protesters from the Network Against The Terrorism Act (NATTA) (2) will leaflet those going to work in the Home Office and New Scotland Yard, London on Monday morning from 8am. They believe that as Parliament almost rubber-stamped the new law – most MPs were afraid of appearing “soft on terrorism” – those responsible for creating and implementing this legislative aberration should be targeted and made aware of what they have really done.

During the day a series of autonomous actions will take place throughout London. Activists from Reclaim The Streets, anti-Genetics groups and others affected by the Act will be taking part. There will be a photo opportunity
for the mainstream media at 3.30pm, Parliament Square. The mobile contact for press will be on 07811 636263 and will have details of freelance video and photo footage.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

(1) In his report of last year, Abid Hussain, Special Rapporteur of the UN Commission on Human Rights expressed particular concern about the effects
the provisions had had on the journalists’ freedoms. After expressing alarm over the then Terrorism Bill, he recommended that: “the Government [should] repeal all provisions which are not in conformity with international treaties and standards, in particular emergency laws like the Prevention of Terrorism Act which have a chilling effect on the right to freedom of opinion and expression.”

(2) NATTA is a loose collection of lawyers, activists and the general public. It seeks to raise awareness and opposition to the Terrorism Act and have it replaced by human rights compatible laws based on international law. There is a large amount of information about the Terrorism Act on its website at  http://go.to/ta2000

ENDS

Network Against The Terrorism Act
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