MOSCOW, October 30 (RIA Novosti) — Australian officials adopted an anti-terror law Thursday prohibiting citizens from traveling to countries where terrorism is prevalent in order to join terrorist groups, the Australian reports.
"The foreign fighters’ bill that has passed the parliament today will mean, first of all, that it is easier to secure convictions against Australians who have been fighting with terrorist groups overseas," Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott claimed, adding that this initiative will help in detecting those involved in terrorist activities.
According to recent data, 70 Australian citizens are reported to have joined terrorist groups overseas. An additional 100 Australians are said to have supported and promoted terrorist activities, being responsible for recruitment of foreign fighters and providing financial assistance, according to AFP.
Growing numbers of terrorism supporters has raised concerns among Australian officials, drawing their attention to the problem of returning fighters, considered a serious threat to national security.
"The best way to deal with returning foreign fighters is to stop them leaving in the first place […] and I'm able to inform the House that some 70 Australian passports have been cancelled to stop terrorists or potential terrorists from travelling," said Mr. Abbot, stressing that about 20 foreign terrorist fighters have recently come back to their homeland.
However, the anti-terror law has been criticized by a number of Australian political parties and legal associations. They claimed that the new bill would violate personal privacy and represent “the breach of faith with the Australian community," the Australian reports.
"Under the legislation, every single phone call, every single text message, email or online communication will available to be accessed by security agencies,” claimed a member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance.
The law is also considered controversial as it does not deal with root causes of terrorism and is not aimed at the long-term elimination of radicalization.
