THE PUBLIC is to have its say on new legislation in the pipeline which will update the Isle of Man’s anti-terrorism laws.
Public views are being sought by the Department of Home Affairs on the draft Anti-Terrorism and Crime (Amendment) Bill which seeks to amend and add new provisions to the Anti-Terrorism and Crime Act 2003 and the Terrorism (Finance) Act 2009.
“This Bill is about the Isle of Man being a good neighbour and maintaining its reputation for being a well regulated finance centre,” said Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw. “The 56 clauses seek to update and modernise our existing legislation with a view to complying with international agreements in relation to terrorism.
“The international security situation remains serious and we can’t discount acts of terrorism occurring on the Isle of Man in the future. It’s in our interest to be a good neighbour to adjacent jurisdictions by ensuring our laws are not significantly out of step with their legislation, while making them appropriate to our Island situation.”
New provisions proposed under the Bill include introducing a requirement for convicted terrorists to register with the police. It creates new offences, specifically an offence of the encouragement of terrorism, plus other offences related to weapons of mass destruction.
Mr Earnshaw added, “It’s in our interests to ensure the Island is not a safe haven for terrorists or those who finance terrorism. We have established the Island as a well regulated international finance centre and we want to make certain there aren’t any weaknesses in legislation that could be exploited by those who want to engage in international terrorism, or by those who wish to damage the Island’s reputation.”
Details of the draft Bill are available online www.gov.im/consultations or from the DHA Chief Executive’s Office, Homefield, 88 Woodbourne Road, Douglas.
The deadline for views to be submitted to the Department is close of business on September 20th, 2010.
Anyone wishing to comment should write by September 20th to Tom Bateman, Legislation Manager, Department of Home Affairs, Homefield, 88 Woodbourne Road, Douglas, Isle of Man IM2 3AP, or via email to: dhaconsultation@gov.im with Anti-Terrorism and Crime (Amendment) Bill in the subject box of the email.
