It is still debatable whether there is in the UK a 'public emergency threatening the life of the nation', which justifies derogation from human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Even if we accept that after the terrorist attack of 7 July there is now a public emergency threatening the life of the nation, this does not mean that any restriction on civil liberties is justified. Restrictions must be proportionate to the threat and in accordance with broad human rights principles.


The home secretary is planning a new offence of 'indirect incitement to terrorism' to add to the current offence of direct incitement. This new offence runs a great risk of violating freedom of expression.


It is a fundamental principle of our liberal culture that each individual is sovereign in deciding what to believe and in weighing reasons for action. This principle rules out the idea that expressions, which 'glorify terrorist acts', somehow contribute to the terrorist attacks. Terrorism attacks, above all, our commitment to liberal ideals. It is to these ideals that we must stand by as a response to the terrorist threat.


George Letsas, department of social sciences and law, Brunel University, London