Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 – An Appalling Law That Must Be Overturned

This is a truly appalling law which, really, we must overturn. The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 means that the government can throw you in jail for a decade if you go somewhere they don’t like. Oh, sure, it’s ringed around with all sorts of we’ll only use it when it’s very serious sorta stuff but it’s an outrage that a government should try to take this sort of power over the citizenry.

Because this is, quite literally, what they mean. You go somewhere we don’t like and we’ll jail you for 10 years.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] British citizens who go to live in terror hotspots could face up to 10 years in prison under a new law which comes into force today. It is now a specific criminal offence to enter or remain in a “designated area” overseas, under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. [/perfectpullquote]

Bugger off matey. No government should have such power.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The Act also gives border guards the power to stop and search individuals without suspicion on the grounds of tackling “hostile state” activity. It also criminalises viewing “terrorist-linked” material online.[/perfectpullquote]

Nor that latter. Remember what some places have, at times, called terrorist-linked material. The 1930s Soviet Union would have called Marshall’s Principle’s of Economics such if they hadn’t already shot everyone who had read or understood it. The Nazis would have approved of Galton, not so much Darwin. Turkmenbashi was as offended as Nuggan.

And we’re giving this power to the people who rule us?

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] In order to use the power, he would need to be satisfied that it is necessary to restrict UK nationals and residents from travelling to or remaining in the area in order to protect the public from a risk of terrorism. An individual found to have entered or remained in a designated area could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. [/perfectpullquote]

Some banlieu is producing Akbarists, thus it’s a decade in jug for visiting Provence?

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Exemptions have been written into the legislation to protect those who have a legitimate reason for being in the area, such as journalism, aid work or attending the funeral of a relative.[/perfectpullquote]

How about the excemption that ought to exist, people going about their lawful business?

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] Mr Javid said: ‘These new laws give the police the powers they need to disrupt terrorist plots earlier and ensure that those who seek to do us harm face just punishment. ‘As we saw in the deadly attacks in London and Manchester in 2017, the threat from terrorism continues to evolve and so must our response, which is why these vital new measures have been introduced.’ [/perfectpullquote] [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Britain was hit by five attacks in 2017, while police and security services have foiled 18 plots in the last two years.[/perfectpullquote]

Sadly we appear desperately underprotected against the theft of our liberty by our own government. Now, where did I put that piano wire while you go check the lampposts.

No, really, what’s the damn point of fighting this terrorism stuff if we’re just going to give up on the freedom shit anyway?