In Australia, there is a renewed drive to outlaw the Palestinian Hamas movement, despite its recent promise not to target Israeli civilians. A group of coalition parliament members and Senators Tuesday agreed to ban Hamas, accused of being a sponsor of "terrorism".
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock told the meeting the bill would change the listing provisions for "terrorist organizations". "The purpose is to create a basis for the identification and listing of Hamas and Lashkar-e-Toiba as terrorist organizations under Australian law if the minister is satisfied that either or both of those organizations are engaged in terrorist activities," a Government spokesman said.
However, state governments and federal Labor oppose the government’s push to ban alleged "terrorist groups" independently of the United Nations. The Labor opposition criticized the government's latest anti-terrorism proposals but said it would support moves to outlaw Hamas. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
