The Definition of Terrorism CM 7052 - Official Documents
The Definition of Terrorism CM 7052 - Official Documents
The Definition of Terrorism CM 7052 - Official Documents
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14. One academic definition that has found wide respect is based on a linguistic survey<br />
<strong>of</strong> over 100 definitions produced around the world 9 . It provides:<br />
‘<strong>Terrorism</strong> is an anxiety-inspiring method <strong>of</strong> repeated violent action, employed<br />
by (semi-) clandestine individual, group or state actors, for idiosyncratic,<br />
criminal or political reasons, whereby – in contrast to assassination – the direct<br />
targets <strong>of</strong> violence are not the main targets’.<br />
15. Even a cursory examination <strong>of</strong> that non-legislative text demonstrates that its<br />
undoubted value is as the lowest common denominator produced from a wide<br />
range <strong>of</strong> sources.It is the result <strong>of</strong> a search more for a classification than a definition.<br />
For example, it would include the activities <strong>of</strong> a lone, violent and eccentric<br />
campaigner against the use <strong>of</strong> electricity; or against laws prohibiting smoking in<br />
public places; or Thomas Hamilton the loner Dunblane child murderer. Terrible<br />
crimes though he committed, terrorism is not a suitable label.<br />
16. <strong>Terrorism</strong> Act 2000 section 1 is not the only current definition <strong>of</strong> terrorism in UK<br />
Law.<strong>The</strong> Reinsurance (Acts <strong>of</strong> <strong>Terrorism</strong>) Act 1993 section 2(2) provides:<br />
“In this section “acts <strong>of</strong> terrorism” means acts <strong>of</strong> persons acting on behalf <strong>of</strong>, or<br />
in connection with, any organisation which carries out activities directed<br />
towards the overthrowing or influencing, by force or violence, <strong>of</strong> Her Majesty’s<br />
government in the United Kingdom or any other government de jure or de facto”<br />
9<br />
Schmid A and Jongman A derived 22 word categories from a study <strong>of</strong> 109 definitions; Political <strong>Terrorism</strong> (North-Holland,<br />
Amsterdam, 1987).<br />
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