An order laid in
Parliament on Monday (25 February) to proscribe
the terrorist organisations Hizballah, Ansaroul Islam and
Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has now come
into effect, following debates in the Houses of Parliament.
Under the Terrorism Act 2000, being a member – or inviting
support for – these groups will be a criminal offence,
carrying a sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
All three groups have been assessed as being concerned in
terrorism.
Announcing his
decision on Monday, Home Secretary said:
My priority as Home Secretary is to protect the British
people. As part of this, we identify and ban any
terrorist organisation which threatens our safety and
security, whatever their motivations or ideology which is
why I am taking action against several organisations
today.
Hizballah is continuing in its attempts to destabilase
the fragile situation in the Middle East – and we are no
longer able to distinguish between their already banned
military wing and the political party. Because of this, I
have taken the decision to proscribe the group in its
entirety.
Decisions about whether to proscribe a particular
organisation are taken after extensive consideration and in
light of a full assessment of available information.
There are now 77 international
terrorist organisations proscribed under the
terrorism Act 2000, alongside 14 organisations connected to
Northern Ireland proscribed under separate legislation.
