Fighting radicals with the law
- 8 Nov 07, 09:26 AM
Can you legislate effectively against radicalism, against Islamism? Well, the British government think they can.
The latest proposal on the table is to allow the police to hold "terror suspects" for 56 days without charge.
Current legislation in Britain, created to combat the IRA, gives the police 28 days to question anyone they think is a terrorist.
The US had the Patriot Act, other countries have been using the law to stop radicals. But does it work? Can the law help prevent radicalism? That's something we'll probably be talking about today. Send us your views, post your comments here on the blog.
"AMMUNITION FOR TERRORISTS"
You might think the government in Britain would have overall support for tougher legislation against radicals. But that's not the case.
Many in the opposition say damaging civil liberties will have a negative impact.
Of course extremists and preachers of hate will seek to radicalise youngsters within their communities whatever we do. But surely we have learnt by now that breahtless talk about the "war on terror" or sloppy anti-terror legisltion gives them needless additional ammunition with which to sustain their twisted grievances?Nick Clegg, opposition MP, Liberal Democrat
Different countries face this challenge in different ways. Look at Pakistan, or Israel, or Lebanon. Join the conversation, send us your views.
WHEN REVOLUTIONS GO WRONG
First Ukraine, with its Orange Revolution. Then the Tulip Revolution of Kyrgyzstan.
Now Georgia, and the Rose Revolution going wrong.
A state of emergency declared on the 90th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution.
What's wrong with all these revolutions? Can we say the Rose Revolution is over? Who's to blame?
Georgia, like Ukraine, points the finger at Moscow. But it may not be that simple.
Onnik Krikorian says in his blog that it's just too easy to put all the blame on the traditional Russian enemy. And convenient too. What about corruption, bad management, poor economic performance?
Are we just too impatient these days? Do we run out of patience before the flowers of the revolution bloom? Or do the leaders change once they're in power?
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