| The Commons has voted to retain the 'glorification clause' in the Terrorism Bill, over-ruling powerful arguments from peers. This clause is widely seen as unnecessary, creating a new criminal offence that in the long-term would generate confusion and trouble in the Courts. MCB believes that there are already robust laws for those who incite or encourage terrorism as recent arrests and convictions have proved. The 'glorification clause' also has serious ramifications for civil liberties and will criminalise legitimate armed struggles against violent regimes as well as foreign occupation and domination. As Lord Ahmed noted in his Lords speech "With this Bill, for the first time, we in Britain are trying to create a law with international application which will effectively determine the legitimacy or illegitimacy of political disputes in the world". |
