Dec 21 - Immigration And Asylum Bill and Terrorism Bill Published Today

The Government is pleased to announce the publication today of the Immigration and Asylum Bill 2017 and the Terrorism Bill 2017.

A spokesman for Number Six explained: "The Immigration and Asylum Bill will update Gibraltar’s immigration and asylum legislation, in particular by replacing the Immigration, Asylum and Refugee Act 1962 and reflecting the new constitutional responsibilities for immigration matters. It also prepares the ground for the UK’s and Gibraltar’s departure from the European Union and provides a framework for immigration and asylum which will be adaptable for the future. The Act will continue to provide for the residence of European and foreign nationals whom Gibraltar welcomes as key contributors to its workplace and economy but at the same time will provide a robust enforcement system to ensure the safety and security of our community.

"With regard to the Terrorism Bill, the Government has noted that in Gibraltar we have not kept up with the pace of change in this important area of law notwithstanding the increase in incidents connected with terrorism. The Bill will replace the existing Terrorism Act 2005 with a much more comprehensive and robust regime. It makes provision for a wide range of conduct including acts that are intended to encourage terrorism activity, the provision of training, travelling abroad for the purpose of terrorism, funding travelling abroad for the purpose of terrorism and financing offences in addition to acts such as bombing. The Bill also continues the established work of maintaining the highest international standards that are expected of a successful and highly reputable international finance centre like Gibraltar. HMGoG is confident that the Bill will give law enforcement agencies the tools that they require to keep Gibraltar safe and for pursing anyone who wishes to do harm in or from Gibraltar.

"In light of the sensitivity and complexity of this area of law, HMGoG has been working with David Anderson QC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation in the United Kingdom between 2011 and 2017."

Commenting on these new Bills, the Chief Minister stated: “I am delighted to see the publication of these two Bills. They are fundamental pieces of legislation that will contribute significantly to enhancing the safety and security of Gibraltar. That is particularly the case with the Terrorism Bill which will endow Gibraltar with a robust and up to date regime to fight the scourge of terrorism. I am equally happy to be presenting the Immigration and Asylum Bill which reflects HMGoG’s increased constitutional competence in this area and which has been drafted with sufficient flexibility to adapt to the outcome of Brexit in the months ahead. In view of the importance of these Bills, and the fact that they are being published just before the Christmas break, I will not seek to take them to Parliament until end-February 2018 to allow for proper consideration by all relevant stakeholders."

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