TACKLING TERRORISM - BEHAVIOURS UNACCEPTABLE IN THE UK
(24 August 2005)

The Government's ongoing work to tackle terrorism and extremism took another step forward today as the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, today published a list of certain types of behaviours that will form the basis for excluding and deporting individuals from the UK. The list, finalised following a two-week consultation, makes clear that the Home Secretary will use his powers to deport and exclude from the UK those who engage in these types of behaviour. It makes clear that those who would attempt to foment terrorism or provoke others to commit terrorist acts are not welcome in the UK.

The list of unacceptable behaviours is indicative rather than exhaustive. It covers any non-UK citizen whether in the UK or abroad who uses any means or medium, including:

• writing, producing, publishing or distributing material;
• public speaking including preaching;
• running a website; or
• using a position of responsibility such as teacher, community or youth leader

to express views which:

• foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs;
• seek to provoke others to terrorist acts;
• foment other serious criminal activity or seek to provoke others to serious criminal acts; or
• foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK.

Mr Clarke said: "The terrorist threat facing the UK remains real and significant and it is right that the Government and law enforcement agencies do everything possible to counter it. That includes tackling those who seek to foster hatred or promote terrorism, sending a strong message that they are not welcome in the UK.

"Individuals who seek to create fear, distrust and division in order to stir up terrorist activity will not be tolerated by the Government or by our communities. By publishing the list today I make it absolutely clear that these are unacceptable behaviours, and will be the grounds for deporting and excluding such individuals from the UK.

"The Home Office has received many contributions to this consultation, both from individuals and organisations. We have also taken the views of leaders and members of faith communities - Hazel Blears met with a cross-section of those leaders and has visited a number of communities across the country. We are grateful for their positive engagement.

"As I said when the consultation started, we recognise the sensitivities around the use of these powers and intend to use them in a measured and targeted way. These powers are not intended to stifle free speech or legitimate debate about religions or other issues. Britain is rightly proud of its openness and diversity and we must not allow those driven by extremism of any sort to destroy that tradition."

A database of individuals around the world who have demonstrated these unacceptable behaviours will be developed and will be available to entry clearance and immigration officers.

There is no statutory right of appeal where the Home Secretary applies these powers personally to exclude people before they come to the UK, although individuals can seek a judicial review of his decision. There is a right of appeal where immigration or entry clearance officers refuse entry to the UK on the basis that the Home Secretary has excluded a person. There is also a right of appeal where the Home Secretary, or other Home Office ministers or officials, decide to deport an individual who is already in the UK.

Responding to Charles Clarke’s announcement, the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: 'Whilst I welcome the fact that the Home Secretary has taken on board some of the issues raised in his consultation, I remain concerned that some of these definitions are sufficiently vague that they could have led to Nelson Mandela, Yasser Arafat or anyone supporting them being banned."

‘The goal is to protect this country from terrorist attacks like those on 7 July. Anyone planning or supporting such attacks should be dealt with. Those who condemn such attacks and urge communities to work with the police to prevent them are our allies in fighting the terrorists and should not be banned."

Dr Imran Waheed, Media Representative of of Islamic party Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said, "This is "gesture politics" of the worst kind. Will such measures be used to silence opposition to Western foreign policy or the expression of solidarity with those living under occupation in the Muslim world? The Muslim community wonders whether such vague measures will be used to prevent the likes of the neo-Nazi sympathiser Jean Marie Le Pen or supporters of Israeli apartheid from visiting Britain, or are such proposals for Muslims only?"

"Entering into memoranda of understanding with some of the most brutal and corrupt regimes in the Muslim world, is yet another evidence of the cordial relations between Western governments and these dictatorships."

"Even though the alleged bombers on 7 July 2005 in London were British nationals, it appears that events are being exploited to move against foreign nationals and asylum seekers. For some time now, the UK government has not accepted the assurances of tyrannical regimes in the Muslim world that they do not torture or mistreat prisoners. However it now seems that the government is willing to deport foreign nationals to countries known for gross human rights abuses. Further to this, the grounds on which deportation can take place have been widely criticised as being vague and ill-defined. "

Top