A look at what other countries have done to combat terrorism
OTTAWA — New anti-terror measures introduced Friday by the Conservative government are seen as a direct response to the attacks in October in which two soldiers were killed.
In recent years, other countries have also introduced legislative reforms to thwart the growing threat of terrorism.
Here’s a look at some of those measures.
France
Last fall, the French government tightened its anti- terrorism legislation because of concerns about the growing number of nationals joining radical causes. Measures included: • a travel ban on anyone believed to be travelling to join a terrorist group abroad.
• creation of new offences and new punishments for terrorists believed to be acting alone.
• the power for authorities to block websites that “glorify terrorism.”
In January, two gunman tied to al-Qaida in Yemen stormed the Paris office of the satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo, killing 11 people.
The two died in a shootout with police two days later and a third, who had taken a Jewish supermarket hostage, also died.
The government is now considering boosting anti-terror measures.
Australia
In September 2014, security agencies claimed to have foiled a plot by Islamic extremists to carry out executions in Sydney and Brisbane.
In response, a suite of new laws was introduced last fall. Measures included: • making it a crime to advocate terrorism.
• sentences of life in prison for those who travel overseas to engage in hostile activities.
• making it a crime to travel to or stay in an area designated as being of “terrorist activity,” with some exceptions for family visits and other travel.
• require telecommunications companies to retain customer’s phone and computer metadata for around two years.
Britain
In July 2005, suicide bombers detonated bombs in the London Underground and on a city bus, killing 52 people and injuring close to 800.
In response, the British government introduced the Terrorist Act of 2006. Measures included:
• extension of police powers to hold terrorist suspects up to 28 days without charge.
• making it a crime to encourage terrorism by directly or indirectly inciting or encouraging others to commit acts of terrorism.
• creating new offences to allow for the prosecution of anyone who gives or receives training in terrorist techniques.
In 2013, a soldier was murdered in London by two men linked to radical Islam. A further suite of legislation was introduced late last year as a response. Proposals include:
• giving police the power to force Internet companies to release details that could help identify suspected terrorists.
• banning British citizens suspected of involvement in terrorist activity abroad from coming back to the U.K. for two years.