Tony Blair’s latest anti-terrorism package, released on Friday August 5, is facing uncertainty after contradictory statements made by Lord Chancellor Charles Falconer.
A day after Mr. Blair declared he would amend human rights laws in order to throw Islamic extremists out of Britain, Falconer said the Government would leave the laws intact.
Mr. Blair’s tough stance on terrorism met wide criticism from civil rights activists and the Liberal Democratic Party, who said he is moving away from Britain’s tradition of tolerance, freedom of speech and respect for human rights.
On Friday he stated that the new measures will allow deportation of Islamic extremists, closing mosques that fomented hatred, outlawing radical Muslim groups such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir, vetting foreign imams before they come to Britain and stronger powers to deal with home-grown fanatics.
New grounds for deportation include fostering hatred, advocating or justifying violence, or active engagement with extremist websites, bookshops and networks.
Concerns were raised, however, when Mr Blair insisted that if needed even the Human Rights Act would be amended.
“Should legal obstacles arise, we will legislate further if necessary, amending the Human Rights Act in respect of the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights.”
But only 24 hours later, Falconer issued a contradictory line. “We are not willing to repeal any part of the Human Rights Act,” he told BBC News 24.
Furthermore, AFP reported that talks with Algeria, Lebanon and several other countries to allow Britain to deport their nationals with fear of torture, are also causing concern.
“We are alarmed by his intention to return individuals to countries where they may face torture,” said Shami Chakrabarti, director of London-based human rights group Liberty. “Torturing, or sending people to face torture, can never be justified.”
However, despite the opposition Blair is now facing, some Muslim groups welcomed his tough stance on terrorism. Omar Farook, of the Islamic Society of Britain, said that measures to deal with “the menace” of foreign extremists were long overdue.
Now Blair looks set for a major battle to steer his plans through Parliament before the laws are passed.
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