PTA renewal announced
Last Thursdsay, March 4, British Home Secretary Jack Straw announced
he was seeking the renewal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA),
currently in it's 25th year. The PTA, which effects England, Wales
and Scotland ceases to have effect on 22 March. While in the Six
Counties the 26-year-old Emergency Powers Act (EPA) is not up for
renewal until June. Three Republican ex-POWs from Derry were recently
reminded of the remit the PTA gives for open racism and the abuse of
an individual's rights.
British minister Adam Ingram, wearing his `security' hat, supported
Straw's announcement along with independent reviewer of the PTA, John
Rawe, that the legislation was effective and relative to the threat,
felxible and respected human rights.
Alongside the PTA and the EPA sit the measures that followed the
Omagh bomb that strenghtened the powers of arrest of senior RUC and
Gardai officers. ENDS
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