Mayor heads terror legislation campaign
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone is heading a campaign to ensure that measures adopted by the government against terrorism do not criminalise people who condemn terrorist attacks.
The campaign, backed by Liberty and the main Muslim and Sikh organisations, aims to make ministers and MPs aware of the grave concern among these communities, which are central to the fight against terrorism.
Mr Livingstone said everybody shared the overriding priority of preventing further attacks, but opposed “measures worded so loosely” they would have banned Nelson Mandela and his supporters from Britain in the past.
It comes after home secretary Charles Clarke published a list of “unacceptable behaviours” under which foreign nationals could be deported from the UK.
Mr Clarke intends to deport ten extremist clerics and supporters of terrorism, who have not been named but could include Saudi dissident Mohamed al-Massari.
Prime minister Tony Blair has threatened to amend or repeal parts of the Human Rights Act, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights, should judges seek to hold up the deportation process.
In a joint statement issued today, supported by MPs, trade unionists and lawyers, campaigners stressed unity in the fight against terrorism, but warned that “a number of the security measures which the government has said it is considering risk criminalising or excluding people who condemn terrorist attacks and whose cooperation is indispensable to the work of the police in fighting terrorism.”
It added: “We believe that the fight against terrorism requires a broad consensus around its means and the involvement of all communities to isolate and defeat those who would use terror to divide us.”
Signatories include SNP leader Alex Salmond, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten, and former Labour health secretary Frank Dobson.
Another signatory, Tooting Labour MP Sadiq Khan said: “The European Convention of Human Rights was drafted by British lawyers shortly after the Second World War. It seems bizarre that we should now be talking about abandoning articles that cannot be derogated at time when they are most needed. Articles 2 and 3 are ones that are absolute: The right to life and the right not to suffer inhumane or degrading treatment.
“It is important to have as much consultation over anti-terror measures as possible, as this will lead to the legislation being widely accepted and ultimately, having greater legitimacy. This statement should be seen as part of that discussion.”
Campaigners plan to lobby parliament and hold a rally in central London when legislation is put forward for consideration by MPs.
Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, said: “There is a need to re-create the consensus that existed after the 7th July attacks. We need to focus on what unites us in the struggle against terrorism- our fundamental values. These values are human rights; the bedrock of our beliefs not a convenience, a luxury or a pick and mix.”
Sir Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, and the Muslim Association of Britain are also signatories.
To sign up to the statement email unitystatement@london.gov.uk
