UK Home Secretary proposes ban on 15 terror groups News
UK Home Secretary proposes ban on 15 terror groups

[JURIST] UK Home Secretary Charles Clarke [official profile] Monday proposed the banning of 15 global terror organizations, submitting a draft list to Parliament of groups to be prohibited under the Terrorism Act 2000 [text]. Clarke cited "recent events in London and elsewhere in the world" as the impetus for the proposal since "the threat posed by global terrorism has not gone away." Prominent groups subject to the ban would include the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, Groupe Islamique, Combattant Marocain, and Ansar Al-Islam [global security profile]. Under the proposed legislation, being a member of a banned group would become a criminal offense punishable by a possible 10-year jail sentence. There are currently 25 international groups banned under the Terrorism Act 2000, and 14 organizations linked to terrorism in Northern Ireland outlawed under other legislation. Clarke's proposal came as British MPs began a new session of Parlaiment [AP report] Monday, where lawmakers will consider a range of anti-terror proposals. The Financial Times has more.