THE NEW ‘ANTI-TERROR’ LAWS:
TAKING LIBERTIES

Supported by Liberty, Stop Political terror, Green Party, Amnesty International Brighton, Campaign Against Criminalising Communities (CAMPACC)

@ Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton

7.00 – 9.30pm Friday the 1st April

“The real threat to the life of the nation, in the sense of a people living in accordance with its traditional laws and political values, comes not from terrorism but from laws such as these” Law Lord Hoffman, 18 Dec 2004

Chaired by Doug Jewell-Campaigns co-ordinator for Liberty

Speakers-

Sagheer Hussain –Specialist criminal defence lawyer and representing Stop Political Terror (the group fighting for the rights of the Guantanamo and Belmarsh detainees).

Keith Taylor- National Green Party spokesman & candidate for Brighton Pavilion.

Anne Costello-Campaign Against Criminalising Communities.

The (local) Brother of a detainee in Guantanamo Bay.

Angela- Chair of Amnesty International Brighton.

Jaya Nyanajoti- anti arms and human rights campaigner.

Richard– Animal rights and protest legislation.

The meeting will be focused upon the justice of existing and proposed anti-terror

legislation, in particular Charles Clarke’s new proposals for civil ‘control orders’ on ‘terrorist suspects’ which would serve political control

(they would punish individuals for what they might do, not what they have done, the orders would include electronic tagging, restrictions on association, the use of phones and internet, and possible house arrest, any breach could lead to imprisonment).

Also an examination of whether or not the right to protest can be said to exist given the now extensive police powers over demonstration and direct political action.

Anti-terror laws have broadened the definition of ‘terrorism’

to include normal political activities, they authorize searches and even detention

in the name of ‘suspicion’ or ‘association’ with terrorism.

Entire communities live under a culture of ‘suspicion’.

Over the last ten years numerous laws have increased police powers

and criminalized most forms of lawful protest.

I have a horrible feeling that we are sinking into a police state”

George Churchill-Coleman, former head of police anti-terrorist squad during the 1980’s and 1990’s