Paddy Hillyard has largely been attributed to coining the phrase ‘Suspect communities’ in his 1993 book with the same name. Referring to the relationship of the British state with Irish nationals residing in Britain, Hillyard painted a rather grim portrait of the state of affairs of counter-terror legislation in relation to ‘the Irish Question’. Making extensive references to the Prevention of Terrorism Acts, Hillyard noted a rather sinister figure; that over 7,052 cases existed of arrests and detention of Irish nationals in relation to the Northern Ireland Affairs, between 1974 and 1991, all released after periods of detention in police custody. Paddy Hillyard’s book arguably acts as the very first form of independent research into people’s actual experiences of the operation of the Acts as well as the impact of such legislation in Britain.
Fast forward 25 years, we witness the guise of the British state turn to a new enemy to the East. Islamist-terrorism is now at the forefront of any debate regarding counter-terror measures in the UK. This said, to what extent have individual experiences of the exercise of state power been accounted for? The Belmarsh case arguably shone light on the Blair administration’s efforts to tackle terrorism at the expense of individual liberty. This said, can a deeper analysis be made into individuals’ experiences of state power and how these feed into an ongoing threat of terrorism. Can it be argued that the hostile and divisive posture the state has made with regard to dealing with individuals from suspect communities have only exacerbated the ongoing threat.
Following the Irish Pub Bombings in 1974, we witnessed an immense public backlash against Irish nationals living in Britain; many were attacked at work and driven from their homes. We witnessed a government take advantage of such public outcry to further an agenda which saw an, arguably, draconian law in the Prevention of Terrorism Acts make the statute books in less than 24 hours. Today, we see the likes of David Cameron in 2015 denouncing the Islamic societies of four leading London universities as ‘housing radicals’. We witness refugees being referred to as a ‘swarm’ in an attempt to appease a grassroot conservative votership.
Birmingham is arguably at the forefront of any questions or concerns regarding counter-terrorism. The Government’s PREVENT strategy as well as Project Champion have proven to further divide and breed hostilities and suspicions toward the British state within minority communities. Stop and search powers at airports as well as a targeting of Asian women by officials have only acted to develop mistrust and resentment amongst individuals in a community widely united against an overbearing state.
It must therefore be noted that lessons from the Northern Ireland Affair have largely been ignored and similar mistakes are being made today. Moreover, it has become apparent that an in-depth study, very much similar to Hillyard’s, is not only desirable but necessary in order to expose the individuals’ experiences of state authority with regard to counter-terrorism. As a politically conscious democracy, it is imperative for the sake of that democracy to truly tackle democratic deficiency evident in a state in which individuals have been targeted. Truly, when unfair stops and searches, racial profiling and a genuine fear in the police become the norm, we have failed to uphold the very fundamental tenants which make us a thriving and progressive society.
Dilraj Ahmed, LLB International Law and Globalisation