Difference between revisions of "Counter-Terrorism Portal"
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+ | The UK has a long history of dealing with domestic terrorism, most notably due to its experience of [[the Troubles]] in Northern Ireland. The threat to British national security during the Troubles was posed by Republican paramilitary organisations, most notably by the [[Irish Republican Army]] [[(IRA)]] and its affiliates. | ||
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+ | In the 1970s, when the Troubles spilled onto the British mainland, the UK enacted a series of counterterrorism measures, such as [[Internment]], [[the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act (1973-96)]] and the [[Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (1974-2000)]]. | ||
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+ | After various attempts at bringing peace had failed, the [[the Good Friday Agreement]] was finally signed in April 1998 and ended the Troubles. The current threat from Irish paramilitary organisations is limited to a small number of Republican splinter groups, such as the [[Real Irish Republican Army]] [[(RIRA)]]. | ||
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+ | When the Prevention of Terrorism Act expired in 2000, according to [[Clive Walker]] – “its replacement became an acute issue”. <ref>David Leppard and Kevin Dowling, <ref>[http://www.law.leeds.ac.uk/about/staff/walker.php Clive Walker (2002) Blackstones Guide to the Anti-Terrorism Legislation [Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 2]</ref> As a consequence, it was replaced by a permanent act – [[The Terrorism Act 2000]], which became the “bedrock” of the anti-terror legislation for the UK.<ref>[http://www.amazon.co.uk/British-War-Terrorism-Counterterorism/dp/0826499007 Steve Hewitt (2007) The British War on Terror: Terrorism and Counterterrorism on the Home Front since 9-11, Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd, p. 35] </ref> | ||
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+ | In direct response to the events of 9/11, a series of other legislations were also enacted by the UK government, such as [[the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001]], [[the Criminal Justice Act 2003]], [[the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005]] , [[the Terrorism Act 2006]] and [[the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008]]. The objective behind the enactments of these legislations was to ensure that the UK was protected from events , such as 9/11 unfolding on its territory. | ||
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+ | In 2003, the government initiated a four pronged counter-terrorism strategy known as [[Contest]] (2003-09). It’s ultimate objective was to "reduce the risk from international terrorism, so that people could go about their daily lives freely and with confidence." <ref>[http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-publications/publication-search/general/Contest-Strategy?view Countering International Terrorism: The United Kingdom's Strategy,] July 2006, [[Home Office,]] p.1 - accessed: 20 October 2009</ref> After the attacks of 7 July, 2005 however, the government felt that it had to do more to prevent people from turning towards terrorism and therefore, in 2009, replaced Contest with [http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-publications/publication-search/general/HO_Contest_strategy.pdf?view=Binary Contest 2], which was similar to Contest, but was essentially more focused on [[Preventing Violent Extremism]]. At present, there are numerous community led projects and organisational initiatives focusing on [[Prevent]]. | ||
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==UK counter-Terrorism organisations== | ==UK counter-Terrorism organisations== | ||
− | *[[Security Service| Security Service (MI5)]] | [[Secret Intelligence Service|Secret Intelligence Service (SIS or MI6)]] | [[GCHQ]] | + | *[[Security Service| Security Service (MI5)]] | [[Secret Intelligence Service|Secret Intelligence Service (SIS or MI6)]] | [[GCHQ]] | [[Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre]] | |
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Revision as of 09:19, 20 October 2009
Welcome to the Counter-Terrorism Portal on Spinprofiles | |||||||||||
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