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The refugee terrorist equation

By Liz Fekete

1 October 1996

Britain demands UN refugee convention changed

Britain is leading the way in Europe in calling for a new United Nations Convention on Refugees which would refuse asylum to anyone planning or funding terrorism. Home secretary Michael Howard canvassed the idea at a meeting of foreign and interior ministers of the G7 industrial nations, and also proposed the extension of counter-terrorism centres of excellence beyond the EU to include the US, Japan and Canada.

Arab governments want Britain to crack down on dissidents

Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia have formally complained to the British government for allowing the Al-Muhajiroun movement (the Immigrants) to stage the Islamist Rally for Renewal in London on 8 September. In the event, the rally was cancelled due to numerous threats. But prior to the cancellation, Arab governments claimed that the rally would provide a platform for international terrorists seeking to overthrow Arab regimes. Whitehall officials said that events would be closely monitored, but they could not prevent it from taking place.

Conspiracy laws extended

Following previous pressure from Middle Eastern regimes, Britain has agreed to extend the law on criminal conspiracy. It will now be an offence to engage in conspiracy with others, or incite others, to commit terrorist offences abroad. Under existing law, the only overseas crime for which foreign residents can be prosecuted abroad is conspiracy to commit murder.

Guardian 26.7, 30.8.96

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