Counter-Terrorism Control Orders: Civil Liberty, Human Rights and Security in the UK

Counter-Terrorism Control Orders: Civil Liberty, Human Rights and Security in the UK

Introduction

Fight against terrorism is a serious problem that requires a deep and comprehensive study. Counter-terrorism has therefore; long remained one of the most prioritized focuses of states whereby they aim to establish mechanisms and controlling elements that may help in avoiding terrorist activities, once and for all. Counter-terrorism control orders, policies and relevant strategies have a long-term impact upon the liberty enjoyed by citizens of a state, their security and on the overall protection of human rights (Sproat, 2005, 441-464). This cannot be neglected in any area, otherwise the concerned objectives does not meet. The United Kingdom realizes its responsibility towards achieving the said objectives, while preserving the rights of its citizens, their security, integrity and liberty by all means. Terrorism in its scope, impact, intensity, destructive force, in its inhumanity and cruelty, the problem is now transformed into one of the worst problems of all mankind.

Research Questions for the Study

Combating terrorism is an on-going battle that witnessed dramatic changes in approaches, strategies, policies, legislations and other control mechanisms in recent times. The focus of this research-based study was based on providing detailed answers to the following research questions:

What are the provisions of The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (ATCSA) in mitigating terrorism form the United Kingdom Post-9/11?

What is the significance of Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 in controlling terrorism from the region?

How did the policies of The Terrorism Act 2006 bring about a change in terrorism-control for the U.K?

What are the outcomes of policy and security services provided in The Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 for terrorism-control in the U.K?

In addition to the above mentioned questions, the study provided comprehensive analysis of anti-terrorism legislations that have been promulgated in the United Kingdom since 2001 after the attacks of the 9/11.

Findings

Perceived Approach on Terrorism prior to 2001 Attacks

It was not before the attacks of 2001 that the United Kingdom realized a severe threat is looming on its sovereignty and integrity. The terrorism approach or perception before the attacks was that of a silent onlookers who had a plan in mind but did not implement it with that much of a forceful stance (Johnson, 2011, 142-46). There are three dominant legal approaches that a country adopts, following the presence of a potential terrorism threat within or outside the national boundary. Before the attacks of September 11, 2001, this stance was adopted by many states including the United Kingdom. In this approach, terrorism is viewed as simply a form of organized crime, and while more threatening than common thefts or assaults, the view is that a robust criminal law and criminal justice system can handle terrorism (Heymann, 2003, pp. 120-125).

At the other end of the scale, a state may perceive terrorism as an existential threat—a threat to its fundamental constitutional values or its territorial integrity. In these circumstances, a military response will be considered, with the ...