A raft of new measures mean people can be jailed for viewing terrorist propaganda online, entering “designated areas” abroad and making “reckless expressions” of support for proscribed groups.
The government also lengthened prisons sentences for several terror offences, ended automatic early release for convicts and put them under stricter monitoring after they are freed accroding to the Independent.
A report by the Joint Committee on Human Rights said the offence, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, “is a breach of the right to receive information and risks criminalising legitimate research and curiosity”.
A United Nations inspector accused the government of straying towards “thought crime”.
Professor Joe Cannataci said: “It seems to be pushing a bit too much towards thought crime…the difference between forming the intention to do something and then actually carrying out the act is still fundamental to criminal law.”
Original proposals said people would have to access propaganda “on three or more different occasions” to commit a terror offence, but the benchmark was removed meaning a single click is now illegal.
It is now illegal to recklessly express support for, or publish images of flags, emblems or clothing in a way which suggests people are a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.
The law has extended extra-territorial jurisdiction for a number of terrorism offences, including inviting support for a banned group and making explosives.
It will also see people entering “designated areas” abroad without a reasonable excuse jailed for up to 10 years.
The areas are yet to be defined by the government, but are expected to include territory controlled by terrorist groups and war zones.