Book Description

This report covers the operation of the Terrorism Acts in 2012. It summarises the independent reviewer's observations of the use of the powers during the year. Although the report makes no far-reaching recommendations (unlike in previous years), it does provide a much more detailed picture of the threat to the UK from terrorism and the role of this legislation. The independent reviewer in particular presents a fuller picture of the terrorist threat to the United Kingdom and its nationals, drawing particularly on the period 2010-2012; reviews the operation of all aspects of the Acts during 2012; requests views on possible changes to the definition of terrorism, with a view to making future recommendations; records progress made in relation to previous recommendations (e.g. in relation to proscription); and identifies other important issues (e.g. in relation to Schedule 7, currently subject to parliamentary as well as judicial attention). The Independent Reviewer considers the results of a programme of cautious and selective liberalisation of UK laws for dealing with terrorism are to be positive ones but that the threat from terrorism remains a substantial one. Amongst recommendations made were those relating to the rules relating to proscription (and in particular deproscription), some aspects of schedule 8 detention and the operation of schedule 7 power to stop and examine those travelling through ports