Methodists call on Government to end detention without trial

-23/12/04

The Methodist Chu


Methodists call on Government to end detention without trial

-23/12/04

The Methodist Church has written to the Home Secretary, calling on the Government to amend legislation that allows detention without trial.

Since 11 September, 16 men have been held without trial in British prisons under anti-terrorism legislation. Twelve are still being held, mostly at Belmarsh prison.

On December 17 the Law Lords ruled that this detention without trial was not justified and breached the human rights of those held. In the words of Lord Hoffman, one of the Law Lords, “there are no adequate grounds for abolishing or suspending the right not to be imprisoned without trial, which all inhabitants of this country have enjoyed for more than three centuries.”

Home Secretary Charles Clarke will respond to the ruling when Parliament sits again after the Christmas recess, on 10 January.

Steve Hucklesby, Methodist Church Secretary for International Affairs, said; “Many people assume that detention without trial is something that only takes place elsewhere, not in a well-established democracy like Britain. There seems to be insufficient evidence to try these 12 men, but the Government does not want to release them, on the grounds that they are associated with terrorism and to release them could put the British public in danger.”

Hucklesby continued; “the Government now has an obligation to either try or release the men held without trial. There are concerns about their mental and physical health after more than three years in prison,” he says, “and following the Law Lords’ ruling there is no justification to hold them longer.”

A number of civil rights groups, church leaders and politicians have spoken out against the detentions without trial. The legislation is considered discriminatory. Under Section 23 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act of 2001, only foreign nationals are subject to detention without trial.

Steve Hucklesby added; “There is no easy way to balance civil liberties with national security. But these detentions take away basic human rights without demonstrably improving our safety. The experience of France and Sweden suggests that there are effective ways to deal with terrorist threats without derogating from the European Convention on Human Rights. These include intensive surveillance as an alternative to detention.”

The Government plans to review and update the Act in the light of the Law Lords’ ruling. The Methodist Church is calling for the Government to use this opportunity to repeal Section 23, which allows for detention without trial.

“I have written to the Home Secretary asking him to amend this legislation when Parliament returns in the New Year,” says Steve Hucklesby.

“Britain must maintain high standards in its human rights obligations. This becomes more, not less, important at times of increased security.”

In addition The Methodist Church is calling on the Government to confirm that it will not allow evidence obtained through torture to be used in trials in Britain.

The Government has yet to fully confirm that it will never accept or allow evidence gathered this way.

The pressure group Liberty has organised a petition calling for detainees to be either charged or released.

Methodists call on Government to end detention without trial

-23/12/04

The Methodist Church has written to the Home Secretary, calling on the Government to amend legislation that allows detention without trial.

Since 11 September, 16 men have been held without trial in British prisons under anti-terrorism legislation. Twelve are still being held, mostly at Belmarsh prison.

On December 17 the Law Lords ruled that this detention without trial was not justified and breached the human rights of those held. In the words of Lord Hoffman, one of the Law Lords, “there are no adequate grounds for abolishing or suspending the right not to be imprisoned without trial, which all inhabitants of this country have enjoyed for more than three centuries.”

Home Secretary Charles Clarke will respond to the ruling when Parliament sits again after the Christmas recess, on 10 January.

Steve Hucklesby, Methodist Church Secretary for International Affairs, said; “Many people assume that detention without trial is something that only takes place elsewhere, not in a well-established democracy like Britain. There seems to be insufficient evidence to try these 12 men, but the Government does not want to release them, on the grounds that they are associated with terrorism and to release them could put the British public in danger.”

Hucklesby continued; “the Government now has an obligation to either try or release the men held without trial. There are concerns about their mental and physical health after more than three years in prison,” he says, “and following the Law Lords’ ruling there is no justification to hold them longer.”

A number of civil rights groups, church leaders and politicians have spoken out against the detentions without trial. The legislation is considered discriminatory. Under Section 23 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act of 2001, only foreign nationals are subject to detention without trial.

Steve Hucklesby added; “There is no easy way to balance civil liberties with national security. But these detentions take away basic human rights without demonstrably improving our safety. The experience of France and Sweden suggests that there are effective ways to deal with terrorist threats without derogating from the European Convention on Human Rights. These include intensive surveillance as an alternative to detention.”

The Government plans to review and update the Act in the light of the Law Lords’ ruling. The Methodist Church is calling for the Government to use this opportunity to repeal Section 23, which allows for detention without trial.

“I have written to the Home Secretary asking him to amend this legislation when Parliament returns in the New Year,” says Steve Hucklesby.

“Britain must maintain high standards in its human rights obligations. This becomes more, not less, important at times of increased security.”

In addition The Methodist Church is calling on the Government to confirm that it will not allow evidence obtained through torture to be used in trials in Britain.

The Government has yet to fully confirm that it will never accept or allow evidence gathered this way.

The pressure group Liberty has organised a petition calling for detainees to be either charged or released.