Close X
Friday, November 8, 2024
ADVT 
National

A look at what other countries have done to combat the threat of terrorism

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Jan, 2015 10:50 AM

    OTTAWA — New anti-terror measures introduced Friday by the Conservative government are seen as a direct response to the attacks in October in which two Canadian soldiers were killed by men believed to be influenced by radical Islam.

    The Harper government considered both to be acts of terrorism.

    In response, they're proposing to give Canada's spy agency greater powers to disrupt potential attacks and also broaden the ability of the RCMP to go after possible suspects.

    In recent years, other countries have also introduced legislative reforms to thwart the growing threat of terrorism or in direct response to attacks on their soil.

    Here's a look at what some of the measures have been, what precipitated them and what happened after.

    France

    Last fall, the French government tightened its anti-terrorism legislation because of concerns about the growing number of nationals joining radical causes at home and abroad.

    Measures included:

    — a travel ban on anyone believed to be travelling to join a terrorist group abroad.

    — creation of new offences and new punishments for terrorists believed to be acting alone.

    — the power for authorities to block websites that "glorify terrorism" without the intervention of a judge.

    In January, two gunman tied to Al Qaeda in Yemen stormed the Paris office of the satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo, killing 11 people, in apparent retaliation for provocative cartoons published by the paper of the prophet Muhammad.

    The two men died in a shoot out with police two days later and a third, who had taken a Jewish supermarket hostage, also died.

    The French government is now considering boosting anti-terror measures further, included beefed up surveillance powers.

    Australia

    In September 2014, security agencies claimed to have foiled a plot by Islamic extremists to carry out executions in Sydney and Brisbane.

    The Australian government said it was an example of a growing threat to the country from Islamic radicals affiliated with the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq.

    In response, a suite of new laws were introduced last fall.

    Measures included:

    — making it a crime to advocate terrorism.

    — sentences of life in prison for those who travel overseas to engage in hostile activities.

    — making it a crime to travel to or stay in an area designated as being of "terrorist activity", with some exceptions for family visits and other legitimate travel.

    — require telecommunications companies to retain customer's phone and computer metadata for around two year.

    In December 2014, a man with a criminal record for assault and known to have radical views, took 17 people hostage in a Sydney cafe, before being shot and killed by police.

    While he was known to security, he wasn't actively being monitored.

    Britain

    On July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers detonated bombs in the London Underground and on a city bus, killing 52 people and injuring close to 800.

    Two of the bombers had made videos ahead of time in which they declared their motivations being linked to radical Islam.

    In response, the British government introduced the Terrorist Act of 2006.

    New measures included:

    — extension of police powers to hold terrorist suspect up to 28 days without charge.

    — making it a crime to encourage terrorism by directly or indirectly inciting or encouraging others to commit acts of terrorism.

    — creating new offences to allow for the prosecution of anyone who gives or receives training in terrorist techniques.

    In 2013, a British soldier was murdered in London by two British men linked to radical Islam. A report into the attack found that security forces were aware of the two men but said they couldn't stop them. A further suite of legislation was introduced late last year as a response.

    Proposals include:

    — giving police the power to force Internet companies to hand over details that could help identify suspected terrorists.

    — banning British citizens suspected of involvement in terrorist activity abroad from coming back into the U.K. for two years.

    — requiring named institutions, including colleges and universities, to implement anti-radicalization programs.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Wynne says Harper meeting was positive, but he made no funding commitments

    Wynne says Harper meeting was positive, but he made no funding commitments
    TORONTO — Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne received no specific commitments from Prime Minister Stephen Harper at their first face-to-face meeting in more than a year, but being able to meet in person was a step forward, she said.

    Wynne says Harper meeting was positive, but he made no funding commitments

    Court upholds pardon revocation for alleged Via Rail terror plotter

    Court upholds pardon revocation for alleged Via Rail terror plotter
    TORONTO — There is no evidence of any political interference in a decision to revoke the criminal pardon of a man accused of plotting to attack a passenger train, a Federal Court judge has ruled.

    Court upholds pardon revocation for alleged Via Rail terror plotter

    Hearing Delayed For Prohibited Driver Who Killed B.C. Woman At Crosswalk

    Hearing Delayed For Prohibited Driver Who Killed B.C. Woman At Crosswalk
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A chronic prohibited driver who struck and killed a woman at a crosswalk in Kamloops, B.C., has had his appeal hearing delayed for nearly a month.

    Hearing Delayed For Prohibited Driver Who Killed B.C. Woman At Crosswalk

    Annapolis Warship To Be Sunk As Largest Artificial Reef In Vancouver Area

    Annapolis Warship To Be Sunk As Largest Artificial Reef In Vancouver Area
    The Artificial Reef Society of B.C. says the former HMCS Annapolis will be towed from Long Bay to nearby Halkett Bay on Jan. 13 before being sunk four days later.

    Annapolis Warship To Be Sunk As Largest Artificial Reef In Vancouver Area

    Crude-by-rail volumes expected to grow in 2015 despite price volatility

    Crude-by-rail volumes expected to grow in 2015 despite price volatility
    MONTREAL — Volatility in energy prices is expected to be a "wild card" for Canadian railways in the long term, but crude-by-rail volumes should continue to grow, albeit more slowly, in 2015, an industry analyst said Tuesday.

    Crude-by-rail volumes expected to grow in 2015 despite price volatility

    B.C. Students' Space Project Delayed By Oct. Rocket Crash Delayed Again

    B.C. Students' Space Project Delayed By Oct. Rocket Crash Delayed Again
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A science project dreamed up by a group of students in central British Columbia that exploded on a rocket launching pad almost two months ago is on hold again.

    B.C. Students' Space Project Delayed By Oct. Rocket Crash Delayed Again