UK to seize returning fighters’ passports

The British prime minister has outlined plans to seize passports from
British nationals linked to armed groups and stop them returning from
fighting overseas.
David Cameron has also proposed landing bans on airlines that fail to
comply with London's no-fly lists.
"We will shortly be introducing our own new Counter-Terrorism Bill in
the UK," Cameron said in a speech to Australia's parliament before
travelling to the G20 leaders' summit in Brisbane, adding that there
was "no opt-out from dealing with this".
"New powers for police at ports to seize passports, to stop suspects
travelling and to stop British nationals returning to the UK unless
they do so on our terms.
"New rules to prevent airlines that don't comply with our no-fly lists
or security screening measures from landing in the UK."
Some 500 radicalised Britons are estimated to be fighting in Iraq and
Syria, both of which are facing a major offensive from the Islamic
State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
British media reports said the legislation, to be introduced in
parliament this month, would block individuals from returning from
Syria and Iraq to Britain for at least two years unless they comply
with strict measures.
These could include being escorted back to Britain and then facing
prosecution, bail-style reporting conditions and deradicalisation
courses.
Border guards and airport police would also be given new powers to
seize passports from those they suspect of planning to travel abroad
for terrorism, the reports said.
Australia is facing a similar scenario to Britain with at least 73 of
its nationals having their passports cancelled to prevent them
travelling to Iraq and Syria, as concerns mount that they could return
home and commit violence.
At least 71 Australians are currently fighting in the two nations, the
government says. At least 15 have been killed – two of them as suicide
bombers – and authorities have passed a law criminalising travel to
terror hotspots without good reason.
Britain raised its terror threat risk level to "severe" in September –
meaning an attack is thought "highly likely" – due to fears over the
situation in Iraq and Syria.