Anti-terrorism legislation

Anti-terrorism legislation

Anti-terrorism laws are rules made by governments to stop and prevent harmful acts meant to scare or hurt people. These laws often appear after big events like bombings or killings. They let the government act faster and in special ways that are not usual, saying it is needed to keep everyone safe.

Because these laws change normal rules, some people worry they might be used in unfair ways. Critics think they could hurt regular people who are standing up for what they believe in, and might give too much power to leaders. This can make people feel that their rights are not fully protected.

Some experts have said that the way these laws are written might be used against people who are not doing anything violent, just speaking up for their ideas. In some places, groups that protest in certain ways have been described as dangerous, even if they are not using force. However, in some countries, peaceful protests are not considered terrorism.

International conventions related to terrorism and counter-terrorism cases

Terrorism has been an important global issue since 1934, when the League of Nations began making rules to stop terrorism. These rules were made in 1937 but never started.

Today, there are 15 international agreements to help countries work together to prevent terrorism. These agreements were made by the United Nations and its groups, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In 2006, the UN General Assembly also made a "Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy" to help all nations keep people safe.

Anti-terrorist legislation in the European Union

Many countries have special laws to help stop harmful groups and actions. These laws are made to keep people safe.

In the European Union, several important laws help protect people. For example, France has had laws since the 1800s to stop harmful activities. Today, special units can hold people they think might be planning harmful acts while they collect more information.

Other countries like Italy, Belgium, Ireland, and the United Kingdom also have their own laws to fight harmful actions. These laws change over time to better protect everyone.

Anti-terrorism legislation in common law countries (other than the UK)

Australia

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

Some people feel these laws might take away important freedoms. A judge said these laws change basic rights in a very strong way.

Bangladesh

• The Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 started being used from June 11, 2008.

Canada

• Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act, 2001
• Bill S-7, the Combating Terrorism Act, 2012
• Bill C-51, the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015

India

• Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (1985–1995)
• Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002 (2002–2004)
• Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act

New Zealand

• Terrorism Suppression Act 2002

Pakistan

Further information: Court system of Pakistan

• Suppression of Terrorist Activities Ordinance, 1975 enacted by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The law was used in some areas until 1997, and in others until August 2001.
• 1997 Anti-Terrorism Act, signed on August 17, 1997, by then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. This law was made after a bombing in January 1997. It created special courts to handle these cases.
• 24 October 1998 Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance issued by Nawaz Sharif's government. Changes included giving judges longer terms and changing how appeals worked.
• Pakistan Armed Forces (Acting in Aid of Civil Power) Ordinance, 1998. This gave the military more powers in certain areas.
• 30 January 1999: the Pakistan Armed Forces Ordinance of 1998 was extended to the whole country. Later that year, it was declared unconstitutional.
• 27 April 1999: repeal of the Armed Forces (Acting in Aid of Civil Power) ordinance. Some parts stayed in the 1997 Anti-Terrorism Act.
• 27 August 1999: amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act, applying special courts across the country.

Russia

• Yarovaya law

In 2017 Ukraine opened a case against Russia for actions in Autonomous Republic of Crimea and part of Donbas.

South Africa

• South African Terrorism Act No 83 of 1967
• Anti-Terrorism Bill (Bill as approved by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Safety & Security on 2003/11/13)
• Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism & Related Activities Act, 2004

United States

Federal

• Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989
• Executive Order 12947 signed by President Bill Clinton Jan. 23, 1995, Prohibiting Transactions With Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process, and later expanded.
• Omnibus Counterterrorism Act of 1995
• US Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996
• Executive Order 13224, signed by President George W. Bush Sept. 23, 2001, which allows the seizure of assets of groups or people supporting terrorism.
• 2001 Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools for Intercepting and Obstructing Terrorism Act (USA Patriot Act)
• Homeland Security Act of 2002
• Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005
• Real ID Act of 2005
• Military Commissions Act of 2006
• Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act of 2006

Ohio

• Ohio Patriot Act

Anti-terrorism legislation in civil law countries (outside the European Union)

China

China passed Counterterrorism Law on December 27, 2015. The law started being used on January 1, 2016. Before this, China did not have a complete set of rules to fight against terrorism.

The law includes new rules for internet and technology companies. For example, it says that internet companies must check the identity of each user. If a user does not agree to this check, the company must refuse to give them services. Companies that do not follow these rules could face fines.

Chile

Some groups, like the Mapuche, have faced problems with anti-terrorism laws in Chile. These laws were first made during a time when the government was not free. In 2018, a group called Amnesty International asked Chile to stop using these laws against Mapuche people who were involved in land disagreements.

El Salvador

In 2006, El Salvador made an anti-terrorism law. Many people said this law could be misused against people who speak up for their rights. The government first tried to use it against people selling things on the street. Later, in 2007, the government tried to use the law against people protesting against a plan to change how water was managed in the country. The charges were later dropped.

Israel

Israel has used special rules for many years to fight terrorism. In 2016, the Knesset made a new law against terrorism. This law makes many kinds of terrorism and support for terrorism illegal and sets strong punishments.

Peru

Peru made anti-terrorism laws in 1992 when Alberto Fujimori was president. These laws were criticized because they led to unfair trials. Some people were wrongly accused of terrorism and kept in prison.

Philippines

The Human Security Act was made in 2007 to fight militant groups in the southern part of the Philippines. The law allows some special actions, like keeping someone in prison for three days without a warrant, but it also says that people must be told about their arrest right away and can see a lawyer. The law can lead to long prison sentences, but there are ways to fix mistakes if they happen.

Indonesia

After bombings in October 2002 on the island of Bali, Indonesia made new laws to fight terrorism. These laws were made quickly because of the emergency situation. Later, the government made these rules into a formal law. Some people have concerns about these laws because they allow for longer detentions.

Turkey

Turkey had an Anti-Terror Law that was made in 1991. This law was changed a little in 1995 but was later removed. The law punished many actions that were not violent. After changes in 2004, people arrested under the Anti-Terror Law can see a lawyer right away.

Ukraine

In 2017, Ukraine began a case against Russia. This was because of Russia's support in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and parts of Donbas.

Anti Terrorist Act, 2009 passed in Bangladesh

Main article: Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009

This law began on June 11, 2008. It helps special courts in Bangladesh handle serious crimes that threaten safety.