BRITAIN
Counterproductive anti-terrorism
Abdurahman Jafar, a senior member of the Muslim Council, warned lawmakers Oct. 31 that proposals for tough new anti-terrorism laws could undermine the Muslim community's willingness to cooperate in fighting terrorism.
The House of Commons-backed bill would extend the maximum 14-day detention without charge for suspects to three months, outlaw attending terrorist training camps and make it an offense to glorify or encourage terrorism.
"What this bill does is threaten to conflate the issue of illegitimate attacks against peaceful democracies with legitimate acts of resistance against illegitimate regimes around the world," said Jafar, adding that the 90-day extension would be seen by the community as internment reminiscent of the measure that had only served to increase support for Irish nationalism.
"The bill now weakens and threatens to confuse that clarity of focus that the Muslim community had," he warned.
The Japan Times Weekly: Nov. 5, 2005 (C) All rights reserved
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