An expert on what terrorism law says, and why we don’t need a new one.
- Reader in Constitutional Law and Human Rights, University of Birmingham
Calling these acts of fascist violence terrorism may feel cathartic, but it’s not that simple.
The laws around protest have rarely been tougher – so we have to wonder why the government is seeking more power by redefining what extremism means.
Publisher Ernest Moret was detained under terrorism powers for taking part in protests against Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms.
The question of whether the Labour leader broke the rules in Durham Miners Club will come down to whether the gathering was ‘reasonably necessary’ for work or election campaigning.
Boris Johnson’s arguments fall down in several key ways.
The revolt over new restrictions comes in stark contrast to support of other draconian laws.
Pandemic politics have continually raised questions about emergency powers and freedom.
History is full of examples of despots making use of emergency powers to manipulate citizens, which is why states must act responsibly in times of crisis.
Governments must think very carefully before sacrificing the very human rights that give the state its identity and democracy.
Soldier amnesty plans pose grave challenges to human rights – and set the stage for a future showdown with the European Court of Human Rights.
From Julius Caesar to Adolf Hitler, history is replete with examples of emergency powers being used to damage the very constitutional order they were designed to protect.
The way we talk about attacks is actually helping the extremists’ monstrous cause.
In a crisis, governments often act just to be seen to be doing something. The difference with what Trump’s doing is that there is no crisis.
Emergency laws can sometimes be the biggest threat to a state and its people.
In our modern understanding of terror, Islamic extremism seems to trump everything else. This is a mistake.
The use of Brits in the terrorist group’s latest video is a deliberate strategy aimed at fuelling division.
The idea is to tackle all views that don’t fit with British values, in practice, it’s difficult to see how the government means anything other than Islamist extremism.
True or not, Mohammed Emwazi’s harassment claims are a lesson in unintended consequences.
As the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly to take action against Islamic State in Iraq, I was reminded of The Big Lebowski, one of my favourite films. Set in August 1990, the opening scene introduces…
After weeks of speculation, the UK government has played its hand, revealing the measures it is taking to confront what is apparently “the greatest and deepest terrorist threat” the UK has ever faced…
The murder of US journalist James Foley by an Islamic State militant who appears to be British has shocked the world and the UK. This was the most graphic example to date of a UK citizen’s involvement…
British support for opposition groups fighting against the Assad regime in Syria has waned considerably since the summer of 2013, with the increasing prominence of more radicalised Islamic organisations…
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