[rmc]

> anti-terrorism laws like this in not-so-advanced democracies where there is little protection of the average citizen from the abuse of state power.

Ummm... This is about Northern Ireland, which had an undeclared low simmering civil war for much of the late 20th century, with abuses by state powers (imprisonment without trail, soliders shooting protesters on the streets), active paramilitary groups killing civilians and state actors, and undemocratic processes (gerrymandering of votes).

I think we know what happens when the UK/NI state wants to abuse one part of the population.

[arethuza]

We went for a weekend to Belfast (which is a great place to visit) but I must admit I was rather surprised to find that there are still automatic barriers in place that close the roads between the Falls and Shankhill Roads.

[rmc]

They call them "Peace Walls"/"Peace Lines" Spooky http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_lines