19 February 1998 Edition
Back issue: Repressive act strenghtened
The repressive basis of British rule in Ireland is further strenghtened with the Prevention of Terrorism Act being made permanent and the Emergency Provisions Act winning praise in a British government report.
British Home Secretary Douglas Hurd on Tuesday night, February 16th, announced in the House of Commons that the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which discriminates against the Irish community in Britain, and Irish people travelling to Britain, is to be made permanent from March next year.
Hurd's comments follow the recommendations of former Home Office Minister Lord Colville, who reviewed the PTA last year and who recommended that the Act should be made permanent rather than renewed annually. Colville also said that the Emergency Provisions Act was ``working to satisfaction and must remain''
In effect, the British Special Branch, who already had arbitrary powers of arrest and detention since the PTA was introduced by a British Labour Government in November 1974, have now been given a green light to further harass and victimise Irish people living in Britain and those entering or leaving Britain at ports and airports. Exclusion powers are also to be retained in the act in spite of Colville's contrary recommendation. (Colville also called for the outlawing of loyalist paramilitaries but this too was rejected by the British.)
Since 1974, a total of 245 people from the six counties and 40 from the 26 counties have been excluded under the PTA. Those excluded have no right to either appeal the decision or to know why they have been excluded.
British Home Secretary Douglas Hurd on Tuesday night, February 16th, announced in the House of Commons that the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which discriminates against the Irish community in Britain, and Irish people travelling to Britain, is to be made permanent from March next year.
Hurd's comments follow the recommendations of former Home Office Minister Lord Colville, who reviewed the PTA last year and who recommended that the Act should be made permanent rather than renewed annually. Colville also said that the Emergency Provisions Act was ``working to satisfaction and must remain''
In effect, the British Special Branch, who already had arbitrary powers of arrest and detention since the PTA was introduced by a British Labour Government in November 1974, have now been given a green light to further harass and victimise Irish people living in Britain and those entering or leaving Britain at ports and airports. Exclusion powers are also to be retained in the act in spite of Colville's contrary recommendation. (Colville also called for the outlawing of loyalist paramilitaries but this too was rejected by the British.)
Since 1974, a total of 245 people from the six counties and 40 from the 26 counties have been excluded under the PTA. Those excluded have no right to either appeal the decision or to know why they have been excluded.