Terrorism Act 2000

Summary

The primary UK counter-terrorism statute that established the power to proscribe organisations and criminalise support for them. Schedule 2 lists proscribed organisations including the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), which was added in 2001. Sections 11–13 criminalise membership, support and display of support for proscribed groups; s.15–18 criminalise fundraising and financial assistance.

Relevance to the diaspora

Tamil diaspora members in the UK risk criminal prosecution for wearing LTTE insignia at commemorations (s.13), donating to organisations linked to the LTTE, or publicly expressing political solidarity with the Tamil national cause in ways construed as support for a proscribed group.

Key provisions

• s.1 — definition of terrorism (broad, includes damage to property)
• s.3 — power to proscribe organisations by Secretary of State
• s.11 — offence of belonging to or professing to belong to a proscribed organisation (up to 10 years)
• s.12 — offence of inviting support for a proscribed organisation
• s.13 — offence of wearing or displaying article arousing reasonable suspicion of support (summary, 6 months)
• s.15–18 — fundraising, money laundering, directing terrorism financing
• s.19 — duty to disclose information about terrorism financing
• Schedule 2 — list of proscribed organisations (LTTE listed 2001)
• s.4–6 — deproscription procedure (Home Secretary or Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission)

Primary source

Related entries

• → Terrorism Act 2006 (UK)
• → National Security Act 2023 (UK)
• → Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (UK)
• → EU Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP (EU Terrorist List) (EU)