News Story

02 December 2008 07:21 BST

Peers reject 42 day terror proposals

The government's deeply divisive counterterrorism bill has been rejected by the House of Lords.

Peers overwhelmingly rejected the bill, which would have seen the pre-charge detention limit for terror suspects increased from 28 to 42 days, by 309-118.

On Monday Mr Brown urged the Lords to support the decision from the Commons.

"The House of Lords should take the advice of the House of Commons on this matter," he told a press conference.

"I'm not going to presume the result of the House of Lords."

The vote, which came four months after the government survived a rebellion to pass the bill by the narrowest of margins, allowed campaign groups a second chance to highlight what they see as a serious attack upon British liberties.

'Sleepwalk'

The bill could see people held for six weeks on the basis of police suspicion rather than hard evidence or without formally charges being levelled against them.

This goes against the basic UK democratic principles of justice, fairness and liberty, campaigners claim.

Amnesty International UK told inthenews.co.uk that Britons was in danger of "sleepwalking" into a gradual erosion of their basic human rights.

The human rights organisation is launching a protest in Leeds to highlight the bill's attack upon civil liberties and releasing a new viral video to accompany targeted action against the MPs that opposed it in June.

Gordon Brown was only able to get the bill approved by relying on the support of nine DUP MPs, with 36 Labour MPs joining the Conservative party, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National party, Plaid Cymru and the SDLP in voting against it.

If and when the House of Lords rejects the bill as is widely expected, the prime minister may be forced to use the Parliament Act to push it through.

"Fight back"

Despite rumours Mr Brown is not prepared to take such measures, Amnesty International called on UK residents to stand up for their basic freedoms.

"We can't rely on Westminster rumours that 42 days won't become law – this is too important, hard-won liberties are at stake. Plans to extend detention without charge should be abandoned once and for all. We don't want them returning under another guise - not next month, not next year," the organisation's director Kate Allen said.

"We're asking people to sign our petition at protectthehuman.com/42days, urging MPs to stand up for our rights and oppose 42 days detention without charge.

"Giving the authorities the power to lock someone up for a month and a half without even charging them would strip people of human rights that protect every one of us in this country."

As well as the below film, Sleepwalk – directed by The Stuff of Life creators DarkFibre – Amnesty International UK is organising a mass sleepwalk in Leeds city centre at 19:15 BST tonight.



Supporters, including July 7th 2005 London bombings survivor Rachel North, will be walking through the city in dressing gowns and slippers to warn against the dangers of sleepwalking into a state that limits basic human rights.

"When people find out that I'm a survivor of the 7th July London bombings, they expect me to be in favour of giving the government powers to lock up people merely suspected of terrorism for weeks without charge," Ms North said. "No way.

"I expect terrorists to try to divide us, to make us afraid and to attack our freedoms. I don't expect it from our democratically-elected representatives.

"Older generations faced daily bombings and thousands died to protect our ancient liberties. It is deeply shaming that we even consider such a law. Fight back!"

Written opposition

Fellow human rights organisation Liberty has drawn on the backing of 42 leading British writers to protest against the counterterrorism bill.

Philip Pullman, Ian Rankin, Sadie Jones and Moshin Hamid are among those who have added their words to 42 Writers for Liberty.

"We don't know how lucky we are, to live in a nation where police officers have all of six weeks to discover why they've locked us up," said Whitbread book of the year prize winner Mr Pullman.

"Ask them after 41 days why a prisoner is still behind bars, and they can honestly and innocently say, 'No idea, mate.' But give them that extra day, and they'll crack it…"

Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti commented: "It is so heartening to see Britain's finest writers joining Liberty's campaign against extending detention without charge.

"Not a single writer that was approached turned down the opportunity to register their opposition to this divisive policy."

The House of Lords has already universally condemned the bill in its second reading debate. If the upper house throws it out it could return to the Commons next month.

Just one third of MPs questioned by Ipsos-Mori said they 42-day detention limit would have a positive impact on combating terrorism, with 40 per cent against using the Parliament Act to force it through.

"Tomorrow the House of Lords will speak and we urge the government to listen," Ms Chakrabarti added.