SchNEWS 343, February 22nd, 2002
Published in Brighton by Justice? - Brighton's Direct Action collective
SPAIN IN THE ARSE
"Terrorism is not only a group of commandos who act, but
is a project that tries to root itself in society, and to combat
it, it is also necessary to struggle against the social, economical,
political and also communication structures which support and
nourish it" -Jaime Mayor Oreja, Spanish Minister of Internal
Affairs.
When Oreja spoke at the European Conference on Terrorism in Madrid
in January last year his government was already cracking down
on Spanish citizens' civil liberties; long before September 11th
and the beginning of an international 'war on terrorism'. In the
past year alone, belonging to the wrong political party, supporting
prisoners, teaching the Basque language, publishing books and
records, editing a magazine, being in a band, running a radio
station, or simply being a journalist has become a crime in Spain.
There have been mass arrests with people taken to isolation wards
where they are often tortured then released a few days later without
charge. This targeting of Basque political activists has now spread
to anarchist and other radical movements, with raids and arrests
being part of a general clampdown.
Euro nicked! No surprises then to find that Spain is using its
presidency of the European Union to push forward radical proposals
that would label demonstrators at European summits 'terrorists'.
The document, issued last month to the European Working Party
on Terrorism, states that they have "noticed a gradual increase...in
violence and criminal damage (at anti-capitalist protests) orchestrated
by radical extremist groups, clearly terrorising society."
The proposals go on to state that this 'new breed' of terrorist
menace is "organisations taking advantage of their lawful
status to aid and abet the achievement of terrorist groups' aims."
Post September 11th, the European Union agreed new legislation
for combating global terrorism, along with a European arrest warrant.
The Spanish proposals go further, asking for a more proactive
EU wide database to keep an eye on protestors. They reckon that
this extension "would provide a very helpful tool in preventing
and, where appropriate, prosecuting violent urban youthful radicalism,
which is increasingly being used as a cat's-paw by terrorist groups
in order to achieve their criminal aims."
But it's not just Spain that is widening the definition of terrorism;
we in the UK are 'fortunate' enough to be protected by some of
the world's toughest anti-terrorist legislation. Barrister Stephanie
Harrison, from the Campaign Against Criminalising Communities
reckons that the Terrorist Act 2000 (SchNEWS 268), alongside its
even tougher little sister, the Anti Terrorism, Crime and Security
Act 2001 (see SchNews 331), are not only criminalising dissent
amongst the locals, but are a direct attack on the rights of vulnerable
groups - mainly immigrant communities.
Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, Leader of the Muslim Parliament of Great
Britain told SchNEWS that the situation within the British Muslim
and Arabic community is becoming unbearable. "We are the
target of this legislation - there is a witch hunt going on -
a fishing expedition... Innocent people are being harassed, families
are being disturbed, children traumatised... there is a climate
of fear in our community". And it doesn't stop there, as
new legislation allows instant internment, providing the police
with powers to detain people indefinitely without trial. Often
based on the most circumstantial of evidence, Asians and Muslims
the length and breath of this fair and pleasant land are finding
themselves being detained under this new legislation.
Dr Siddiqui's message is clear "The whole Muslim community
is frightened, intimidated and traumatised; as a result the people
are not getting involved in community activities, and people are
asking 'is it worth it?'"
In January Yasadigimiz Vatan, a Turkish language socialist weekly
magazine had its last two issues confiscated by police who said
it was "property for the use of terrorism."
Vatan has been distributed in the UK for the past two years so
what has changed? According to one of its workers "The Terrorism
Act 2000, which is not being used to fight terrorism but to fight
democrats and prevent press freedom in this country."
Estella Schmidt from the Kurdish National Congress (KNK) told
us that as far as UK based Kurds are concerned it is more a case
of harassment than actual detention.
Demonstrators are constantly being filmed, and follow up calls
from police to homes of Kurds is commonplace often late at night
and unannounced." These people are not from this country,
and despite protesting innocently, and making it quite clear that
they are not supporting terrorists, they are still harassed by
police - it is similar to the way the Irish have been treated
in the past."
As the Spanish example shows, it's not long before the authoritarian
finger starts pointing at anyone who dares to disagree. Raif,
a lawyer from Coalition Against the Terror Acts, told SchNEWS
"With so much police activity against refugees and Muslims,
many people are becoming complacent.
This new document confirms exactly what we've been warning of
for ages. All effective dissent will be treated the same: you
are either with them or you are a terrorist and outlaw."
Coalition Against the Terror Acts c/o Haldane Society, Conway
Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL www.cacc.org.uk
| http://go.to/ta2000
To find out more about crack down in Spain: http://barcelona.indymedia.org
The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) is today mounting a legal challenge
to its banning under the Terrorism Act2000. The PKK are one of
21 political groups whose activities were outlawed under a Proscribed
Organisations Order which came into effect in March last year.
Peace in Kurdistan Campaign 020 7586 5892
On Wednesday people across America wore blue triangles to show
support for the thousand plus people - mainly Arabs and Muslims
- who have "disappeared" since September 11th. Many
of those detained are being held on the basis of secret evidence
- or no evidence at all. Prisoners are held without being allowed
any contact with a lawyer, and the US government is refusing to
reveal their identities, nationalities and whereabouts. To find
out more go to: www.laresistencia.org
For a list of anti terrorism events check out the party and protest
section on our website. http://www.schnews.org.uk/
Basket Case
Pepe Rei, editor of radical Basque paper 'Ardibeltza' was imprisoned
last year without charge (See SchNEWS 303) - on the allegation
that ETA (militant Basque separatists) were using his paper for
information, and so therefore he was supporting terrorism.
After being released 5 months ago because of lack of evidence,
the same judge has shoved him back in prison again without any
evidence and upped his charge to 'membership of an armed organisation'!
'Ardibeltza' has been banned, but a similar paper has since started
on the French side of the Basque Country called Kalegorria. www.kalegorria.net
(in Euskal/Spanish)
Disclaimer
SchNEWS warns all police officers attracted to anarchy that, based
on our evidence, the feeling ain't mutual.
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