Speaking of Terror: Criminalising Incitement to Violence

Abstract

United Nations Security Council adopted non-binding Resolution 1624 calling on States to prohibit by law incitement to commit a terrorist act or acts, prevent incitement, and deny safe haven or entry to inciters. The resolution was sponsored by the United Kingdom during the aftermath of the July 2005 terrorist bombings in London which announced new policy guidelines governing deportation, which listed unacceptable behaviours by non-UK citizens in Britain or abroad, which involved expressing views that foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs, and seek to provoke others to terrorist acts.

Keywords: criminalization, incitement, terrorism, international law, sedition, freedom of speech, freedom of expression

JEL Classification: K10, K30, K33