<p>The Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission (POAC) heard a challenge to the UK ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on Wednesday. </p>
<p>The Appellant's lawyer highlighted that a recent assessment by the MI5's Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) noted that the LTTE are no longer operational. The lawyer also noted that an earlier assesment by JTAC in October 2017 found that there is no indication that the LTTE exists as a cohesive organisation with a recognised leadership structure or communications with its members. </p>
<p>The Commission has the power to order the Home Secretary to unban the LTTE. </p>
<p>The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) challenged the ban last year citing that the ban is being used to crack down on the political work of Tamils. In their petition to the Home Secretary, TGTE members said that the ban on the LTTE is being misperceived as a ban on advocacy for a sovereign state of Tamil Eelam.</p>
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