A Preliminary Analysis Of British Anti-terrorism Legislation

The appearance and spread of modern terrorism has brought serious disaster to the country and people. Leading by the United Nations ,the international society has signed a sieries of anti-terrorism treaties striking and controlling terrorism activity. Each country is making and perfecting domestic anti-terrorism legislation. The United States and Britain have played important roles in combatting terrorism. According to the aspects of the United States' anti-terrorism, there are thorough study by home scholars. As to another anti-terrorism state, Britain, nobody has touched upon it. Making a preliminary analysis on the problem not only can enrich the substance of terrorism research, but also has practical significance for the international law and the international criminal law, and provide lessons for China's anti-terrorism legislation.The 1973 Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act is the first anti-terrorism law aiming at terrorism activity in the Northern Ireland. It is the model for Britain striking and controlling internal terrorism activity by legal means.The 1974 Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act is the first British law for anti-terrorism in Britain island. They are both temporary Acts. The experiences in formulating and applying temporary anti-terrorism law for more than 20 years urged British government to make a permanent anti-terrorism law. That is the 1998 Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act. The breakout of 9.11 attack indicates that it's necessary for combatting terrorism. So, Britain formulates the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. This article will analyse and comment on British anti-terrorism legislation from three respects. First, we begin from the international social backgound and internal national condition of British anti-terrorism legislation to prove the reality requirements of Britain for anti-terrorism. Then, we demonstrate clearly the main contents of British anti-terrorism acts. Finally, we analyse the new characteristics of British anti-terrorism, and comment on the contents and effects of the anti-terrorism acts in a certain degree.