The Covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill allows authorisation by a wide range of state organisations for undercover agents to commit crimes as part of their work. It fails to rule out the authorisation of murder, torture or sexual violence.
There is a well-established recent history of state infiltration by the security services of campaigning organisations and surveillance of trade union activity.
There is strong evidence of apparently illegal activity by undercover state agents in this work.
This branch believes:
The passing of the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill through the House of Commons is a serious attack on civil liberties.
That it is open to being used to undermine the crucial work of trade unions and social movements.
The whole labour movement should be mobilised to block the bill.
This branch resolves:
To circulate information amongst members outlining the dangers of the bill.
To encourage members to lobby MPs to oppose the bill.
To write to the Home Secretary demanding that the bill be withdrawn.
