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February 23, 2005
Detention without trial
Detention without trial has always been opposed in these islands. It has been the hallmark of totalitarian regimes. Habeas corpus, the right to trial is one of the cornerstones of our political system, dating back to the 12th century.
Now our authoritarian Labour government in London wants to have the power of indefinite detention without trial - in response to the threat of terrorism - to be used at the discretion of the Home Secretary, at a time when the country is not at war, and without any kind of time limit.
The ‘Prevention of Terrorism Bill’ passed its first reading tonight (309 votes for to 233 against) and will be discussed again next Monday before being rushed to the House of Lords. (There were 32 Labour rebels voting against the measure, but only one Scottish Labour MP, Tam Dalyell.)
The Lords may or may not succeed in delaying or amending the bill, but if it passes in its present form, it will mean that the government, rather than a law court, has the right to lock us up, albeit at home rather than in prison, although that could change.
This changes the fundamental relationship between the government and the citizen, and the implicit ‘contract’ which binds us together in a peaceful and tolerant society.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4285835.stm
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4289349.stm
www.snp.org/index_hires.php?pageName=news/newsdetail.php?newsID=2835
www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk
Posted by Simon Holledge at February 23, 2005 11:39 PM
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