More 'terror' groups face ban

India is concerned over reports of British Muslims fighting in Kashmir

A list of 21 organisations to be banned in the UK under the new Terrorism Act has been published by Home Secretary Jack Straw.

The law makes it illegal to incite terrorism abroad and was introduced following complaints that several foreign groups have been using London as a base.

The list includes the Greek group, November 17, which murdered the UK diplomat, Brigadier Stephen Saunders, in Athens last year and has killed 24 other people in 80 attacks.

Some people may argue that this is an attack on Muslims. That would be entirely wrong

Charles Clarke

Also listed is the Basque separatist group ETA, four Palestinian organisations, three Kashmiri and two Turkish groups.

Previously only organisations involved in violence in Northern Ireland had been proscribed.

No further UK groups have been added.

More more than half of the 21 names listed are Muslim in origin, but Home Office minister Charles Clarke insisted this should not be seen as an attack on individual communities.

He said: "I am aware that there are some people who may argue within the Muslim community that this is an attack on Muslims. That would be entirely wrong."

Organisations with Middle Eastern links now facing a ban include the Hezbollah External Security Organisation, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Abu Nibal Organisation and Mujaheddin e Khalq.

Jack Straw is banning more 'terror' groups

Also on the list is Al-qa'iba, which was set up by the renegade Saudi millionaire, Osama bin Laden, and has been blamed for the bombing of two American embassies in Africa.

Under the new law, police have powers to seize assets and arrest those who use violence or the threat of it "for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause".

Even fund-raising or openly supporting a banned organisation could lead to arrest.

The new powers redefine terrorist violence to include attacks on property as well as people.

Liberty fears

Civil liberties campaigners have accused Mr Straw of potentially criminalising environmental campaigners as well as exiles fighting to topple dictatorial regimes in their homeland.

And they claim he is trying to placate governments abroad, including Saudi Arabia, which accuse the UK of being a haven for people regarded by some ruling regimes as terrorists.

The new names will be added to a list of proscribed organisations, which currently includes Irish groups such as the IRA and the Ulster Volunteer Force.

The draft order listing proscribed organisations must be approved by both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.