Having just returned from the UN Global Congress for Victims of Terrorism in New York it has once again become clear to me that terrorism is far from a seldom occurrence nor that it is likely to go away . Terrorist attacks happen more or less daily somewhere on this planet , even if we do not hear about them in the UK .
We will never stop terrorism but terrorists need to see and come to know that here in the UK the government is doing everything they can to keep their citizens safe . This should be in line with Article 2 of the Human Rights Act - The right to life .
We offered a proposed legislation four years ago , set out what it should roughly cover , the public consultation happened and it is now up to the government to do the rest . However , the legislation needs to be concise , practicable , ie fit for purpose for different venues , it needs to have a robust and rigorous system for non-compliance or breaches and the language within the legislation simply cannot be ambiguous and be left for interpretation . That , in my view is the equivalent of leaving the back door wide open . Sir John who so skillfully chaired the Manchester Arena Inquiry was very clear about the recommendations he made in Volume One , Chapter 8 . Sir John issued the first volume in a timely fashion so that the Protect Duty legislation can be progressed and not slowed down until the very end of the inquiry .
The ironic thing is that
Don ’ t forget protect
Figen Murray OBE has campaigned tirelessly for new anti-terror legislation in the wake of the death of her son Martyn Hett in the Manchester Arena attack . With Martyn ’ s Law , now known as Protect Duty due to be introduced in 2023 , Murray hopes Liz Truss ’ new government does not forget there is nothing more important than keeping people safe
“ I urge the government to consider hurrying this legislation along before another attack happens .”
Figen Murray
the majority of the security industry is now onboard with the Protect Duty , so many people have already implemented what they think is needed and are continuing to do so , many valuable discussions around the duty are taking place , but we need confirmation of what is in the legislation . Right now even a rough skeleton , a frame work would be helpful . I would love the government to give us something , an outline , something people can start working with and be guided by .
We have a new government now and admittedly , the cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine take priority , however , there can simply be nothing more important than keeping the population safe . I urge the government , home secretary Suella Braverman and security minister Tom Tugendhat to consider hurrying this legislation along before another attack happens and more people are joining the ever-growing community of people destroyed by this persistent menace of terrorism . EN
October — 35