This Order, made by the Secretary of State under the Terrorism Act 2000, revokes the Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) Order 2017, effectively removing the designation that specified 'Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham' as another name for the proscribed organisation Al-Qa’ida across the United Kingdom.
Arguments For
The revocation streamlines the list of proscribed organisations by removing a previously designated alternative name, potentially clarifying legal status regarding terrorism offenses.
Reverting the naming convention allows the government to respond to changed intelligence assessments or strategic necessities regarding the nomenclature used for designated terrorist entities.
Arguments Against
Removing the explicit designation of 'Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham' as an alternative name for Al-Qa’ida might temporarily reduce legal clarity regarding the application of terrorism offenses (sections 11 to 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000) when dealing with activities under that specific moniker.
Changes in proscription status, even partial ones through name revocation, require careful communication to law enforcement and public bodies to ensure consistent application of the law.
The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 3(8) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
The Secretary of State is formally making this legal instrument using the authority granted under Section 3(8) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Citation, commencement and extent 1. (1) This Order may be cited as the Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) (Revocation) Order 2025 and comes into force on the twenty-first day after the day on which it is laid before Parliament.
(2) This Order extends to the United Kingdom.
The official title of this legislation is the Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) (Revocation) Order 2025.
It becomes fully active twenty-one days after it is formally presented to Parliament.
The legislation applies to all parts of the United Kingdom.
Revocation 2. The Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) Order 2017 is revoked.
Article 2 cancels or repeals the entire Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) Order 2017.
Explanatory Note (This note is not part of the Order)
Part 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (c.11) makes provision about proscribed organisations (including setting out offences in relation to such organisations in sections 11 to 13). An organisation is proscribed if it is listed in Schedule 2 to that Act or operates under the same name as an organisation so listed (section 3(1)).
This note explains that Part 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000 details rules concerning organisations deemed 'proscribed,' which includes establishing specific criminal offenses in Sections 11 through 13.
An organisation is officially proscribed if its name appears in Schedule 2 of the Act, or if it operates under any name identical to one already listed there.
The Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/615) specified “Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham” as another name for the organisation listed in Schedule 2 as Al-Qa’ida.
The 2017 Order previously established that the entity known as 'Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham' was legally considered to be operating under an alternative name belonging to Al-Qa’ida, which is scheduled under the 2000 Act.
Article 2 of this Order revokes the Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) Order 2017 meaning that Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham ceases to be treated as another name for Al-Qa’ida.
By enacting Article 2, the previous linkage is broken; 'Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham' is no longer legally considered an alias for Al-Qa’ida under the terms of the 2000 Act.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.
Authorities determined that a formal, detailed assessment of the economic or operational effects on private businesses, voluntary groups, or public services was unnecessary because the changes resulting from this Order are not expected to cause significant impact.
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