The Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) Order 2025
The Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) Order 2025, made under the Terrorism Act 2000, officially recognizes ‘Majeed Brigade’ as an alternative name for the proscribed organization ‘Baluchistan Liberation Army.’ This action aims to improve counter-terrorism efforts by closing legal loopholes and facilitating effective prosecution and monitoring of the group’s activities, regardless of the name used.
The order extends to the entire United Kingdom and took effect the day after parliamentary review.
Arguments For
Strengthening counter-terrorism efforts: The order aims to enhance the ability to prosecute individuals associated with the Baluchistan Liberation Army, even if they operate under the alias 'Majeed Brigade'.
Closing legal loopholes: By officially recognizing 'Majeed Brigade' as an alias, the order prevents potential legal challenges based on the use of different names.
Improving intelligence gathering: This designation allows for more effective monitoring and investigation of the group’s activities, regardless of the name used.
Legal Basis: The order is made under the explicit power granted in section 3(6)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2000. The Secretary of State's belief that this is necessary was part of the order's creation.
Arguments Against
Potential for chilling effect on free speech: The broad application of the Terrorism Act could potentially lead to unintended consequences for innocent individuals or groups with similar names.
Lack of transparency: The process for designating aliases may not be sufficiently transparent or accountable to the public.
Resource allocation: Enforcement of this designation may require additional resources for law enforcement agencies.
Overreach: Critics may argue that this action is an overreach of governmental power, leading to potential infringements on civil liberties.
- Citation, commencement and extent (1) This Order may be cited as the Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) Order 2025 and comes into force on the day after the day on which it is laid before Parliament. (2) This Order extends to the United Kingdom.
This section details the order's title, effective date (the day after parliamentary presentation), and geographical scope, confirming its applicability across the United Kingdom.
- Name change Majeed Brigade, being a name not specified in Schedule 2 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (proscribed organisations), is to be treated as another name for Baluchistan Liberation Army, being an organisation listed in that Schedule2.
This section identifies 'Majeed Brigade' as an additional name for the 'Baluchistan Liberation Army,' already included in Schedule 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
This effectively expands the definition of the proscribed organization.
Explanatory Note (This note is not part of the Order) Part 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11) makes provision about proscribed organisations (including setting out offences in relation to such organisations in sections 11 to 13). An organisation is proscribed if it is listed in Schedule 2 to that Act or, as in most cases, if it operates under the same name as an organisation so listed (section 3(1)). Section 3(6) of that Act enables the Secretary of State, by order, to provide that a name that is not specified in Schedule 2 to that Act is to be treated as another name for an organisation that is listed in that Schedule. Article 2 of this Order specifies Majeed Brigade as another name for the organisation listed as Baluchistan Liberation Army. A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
The explanatory note clarifies the legal basis for the order within Part 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000, specifying that section 3(6) allows for the addition of alternative names to listed organizations.
It highlights the naming of 'Majeed Brigade' as an alternate name for the 'Baluchistan Liberation Army' and notes that a full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to minimal predicted impact on different sectors.