New anti-terror powers 'threaten civil liberties'
Theresa May criticised for introducing a bill that will create 'a chilling recipe for injustice'
Civil liberties campaigners have condemned the Home Secretary's new counter-terrorism bill, due to be published today, which they say will threaten civil liberties "by closing down the open society [the government] seeks to promote."
The bill is expected to allow authorities to cancel passports at the border for 30 days, force firms to hand over phone and computer information and require schools and colleges to help prevent people from being radicalised.
The measures will be unveiled a day after an unnamed technology company, widely reported to be Facebook, was accused of failing to pass on information that could have prevented the murder of fusilier Lee Rigby. His killers had outlined their plan in graphic detail on the social media site.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
According to Theresa May, new legislation is necessary to address the "very serious and rapidly changing threats" the UK public faces, the BBC reports.May said: "We are in the middle of a generational struggle against a deadly terrorist ideology. These powers are essential to keep up with the very serious and rapidly changing threats we face. In an open and free society, we can never entirely eliminate the threat from terrorism".She added: "But we must do everything possible in line with our shared values to reduce the risks posed by our enemies. This bill includes a considered, targeted set of proposals that will help to keep us safe at a time of very significant danger by ensuring we have the powers we need to defend ourselves."But the director of human rights organisation Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti, disagreed with the home secretary's assessment. "Yet again, politicians resort to high talk and rushed legislation in an attempt to look tough in the face of terrorism," Chakrabarti said, adding that the new legislation would create "another chilling recipe for injustice and resentment by closing down the open society you seek to promote."May insisted that the new measures are necessary to combat a "struggle on many fronts", revealing that since 2005, 40 plots targeting the London transport network had been disrupted.Teaching unions expressed concern over the provisions within the bill directed at schools and colleges.
"Schools definitely have a role to play, as they protect children they also protect the neighbourhoods they serve but they are not a police service," Russell Hobby, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers told The Independent. "A school's main contribution to the cause of anti-extremism is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum in a safe environment where human rights are respected."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
A new investigation has put the spotlight on roadside zoos
In the Spotlight Over 150 allegations against these zoos have been made over the past decade
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
NASA's Europa Clipper blasts off, seeking an ocean
Speed Read The ship is headed toward Jupiter on a yearslong journey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Man arrested as threats on FEMA hinder Helene relief
Speed Read The agency temporarily suspended door-to-door operations as a result of the threats
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
What we know about the Copenhagen mall shooting
Speed Read Lone gunman had mental health issues and not thought to have terror motive, police say
By The Week Staff Published
-
The countries that have banned conversion therapy
Why Everyone’s Talking About Former PM Theresa May has urged UK government to ban practice for transgender people
By The Week Staff Published
-
Texas school shooting: parents turn anger on police
Speed Read Officers had to be urged to enter building where gunman killed 21 people
By The Week Staff Published
-
DJ Tim Westwood denies multiple sexual misconduct allegations
Speed Read At least seven women accuse the radio and TV presenter of predatory behaviour dating back three decades
By The Week Staff Published
-
What happened to Katie Kenyon?
Speed Read Man charged as police search for missing 33-year-old last seen getting into van
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Brooklyn subway shooting: exploring New York’s ‘steep decline in law and order’
Speed Read Last week, a gunman set off smoke bombs and opened fire on a rush-hour train in the city
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
How the Capitol attack investigation is splitting the Republicans
Speed Read Vote to censure two Republican representatives has revealed deep divisions within party
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is sentencing a Nazi sympathiser to read Shakespeare an appropriate punishment?
Speed Read Judge seemed to think introducing student ‘to high culture’ would ‘magically make him a better person’ said The Daily Telegraph
By The Week Staff Published