The Terrorist Asset Freezing (Temporary
Provisions) Act 2010 was rushed through Parliament in February 2010 in the space of five
days - read our Lords briefing (PDF). This Bill seeks to
give Parliament the time to properly scrutinise this regime and
ensure appropriate safeguards are put in place. However, as currently drafted, the
Bill contains some of the same unjust and unfair measures
contained in the illiberal control order regime which is currently the subject of a wider
counter-terrorism review. Read our response to that review: From 'War' to Law, 2010 (PDF)
House of Lords
House of Commons
In this joint briefing with JUSTICE we set out in more detail our concerns about the Bill. In particular we highlight the highly intrusive powers it gives to the Treasury to freeze indefinitely the assets of anyone it has reasonable grounds to suspect is or has been involved in terrorist activity, regardless of whether the person has been arrested or charged, let alone convicted, of any terrorism offence. This means the person and their family cannot travel, take on employment or do anything that involves payment without the approval of the Government. We propose amendments that would ensure that only a Court could make such an order against those who have been convicted of a terrorism offence (or as an interim measure against those arrested or charged), and the person must be allowed enough money to live.
Just like control orders, terrorist asset-freezing powers can apply to people who may never have been convicted of any offence, let alone arrested or charged. And as with control orders you might never know exactly why the Government has taken this action against you. Please write to your MP now and ask them to amend the Bill.