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Government to proscribe Hizballah's military wing
The Home Secretary today laid an order that will proscribe Hizballah's entire military wing. If approved by Parliament, this will substitute the existing entry of subscription "Hizballah External Security Organisation".
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said:
"Today, the Government has laid an Order in Parliament to proscribe the entirety of Hizballah's military wing in substitution for the existing entry "Hizballah External Security Organisation". This means that it will be a criminal offence to belong to, fundraise and encourage support for the military wing of the organisation. Hizballah's political, social and humanitarian activities will remain unaffected.
"Hizballah's military wing is providing active support to militants in Iraq who are responsible for attacks both on coalition forces and on Iraqi civilians, including providing training in the use of deadly roadside bombs. Hizballah's military wing also provides support to Palestinian terrorist groups in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
"It is because of this support for terrorism in Iraq and Occupied Palestinian Territories that the Government has taken this action. Proscription of Hizballah's military wing will not affect the legitimate political, social and humanitarian role Hizballah plays in Lebanon, but it sends out a clear message that we condemn Hizballah's violence and support for terrorism. We continue to call on Hizballah to end terrorist activity and its support for terrorism in Iraq and Occupied Palestinian Territories, abandon its status as an armed group and participate in the democratic process on the same terms as other Lebanese political parties."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Under Part II of the Terrorism Act 2000, the Secretary of State has the power to proscribe any organisation which she believes 'is concerned in terrorism'. An organisation is 'concerned in terrorism' if it commits or participates in acts of terrorism, prepares for terrorism, promotes or encourages terrorism, or is otherwise concerned in terrorism either in the UK or abroad. The Terrorism Act 2006 amended the grounds for proscription to include organisations which glorify terrorism and provided new powers in respect of those groups which have changed their name but are identified as being the same organisation as one of those already proscribed. 'Organisation' is defined as including 'any association or combination of persons'. Once the statutory criteria are satisfied, the Secretary of State then has discretion whether or not to proscribe a particular organisation.
2. Proscription means that an organisation is outlawed in the UK as soon as the order comes into force. It is a criminal offence for a person to belong to or encourage support for a proscribed organisation. It is also a criminal offence to arrange a meeting in support of a proscribed organisation or to wear clothing or to carry articles in public which arouse reasonable suspicion that a person is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.
3. Further information on proscribed groups and the existing list can be found at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/security/terrorism-and-the-law/terrorism-act/proscribed-groups (new window)
