Anti-terrorism legislation

Anti-terrorism legislation designs all types of laws passed in the purported aim of fighting terrorism. They usually, if not always, follow specific bombings or assassinations.^{[original research?]} Anti-terrorism legislation usually includes specific amendments allowing the state to bypass its own legislation when fighting terrorism-related crimes, under the grounds of necessity. For example, the various UK terrorist acts during the Northern Ireland conflict have severely restricted the rights of the defense and of those accused of terrorist acts. Because of this suspension of regular procedure, such legislation is sometimes criticized as a form of lois scélérates which may unjustly repress all kinds of popular protests. Critics often allege that anti-terrorism legislation endangers democracy by creating a state of exception that allows authoritarian style of government. Governments often state that they are necessary temporary measures that will be dispelled when the danger finally vanish. However, most anti-terrorist legislation remains in activity even after the initial target of it has been eliminated.^{[citation needed]}

Anti-terrorist laws by country

Australia

• Australian anti-terrorism legislation, 2004
• Australian Anti-Terrorism Act 2005

Belgium

• Belgium Anti-Terrorism Act 2003

Canada

• Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act, 2001

India

• Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act

South Africa

• South African Terrorism Act No 83 of 1967

United Kingdom

• (1974-1989) Prevention of Terrorism Act (Northern Ireland)
• UK Terrorism Act, 2000
• UK Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001
• UK Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005
• UK Terrorism Act, 2006

United States

Federal

• US Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996
• Executive Order 13224, signed by President George W. Bush Sept. 23,2001, among other things, authorizes the seizure of assets of organizations or individuals designated by the Secretary of the Treasury to assist, sponsor, or provide material or financial support or who are otherwise associated with terrorists. 66 Fed. Reg. 49,079 (Sept. 23, 2001).
• 2001 Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools for Intercepting and Obstructing Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT Act)(amended March 2006)
• Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107-296.
• Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act (SAFETY Act) of 2002

Ohio

• US Ohio Patriot Act

References

See also

• Anti-Socialist Laws passed in Germany in 1878
• National security
• Rule of law
• state of emergency
• Philosopher Giorgio Agamben's criticism of emergency laws

External links

• A comparitive perspective on terror laws - India and Britain
• British Foreign Office report - Counter-terrorism Legislation and Practice: A Survey of Selected Countries, October 2005 (pdf) - this report outlines current anti-terrorism legislation in ten democratic nations, including the United States, Canada, Australia and a portion of Europe.

Categories

Find

Find