| Synopsis: |
This publication examines issues raised by the Home Office discussion paper "Counter-terrorism powers: reconciling security and liberty in an open society" (Cm. 6147, ISBN 0101614721, issued 25 February 2004). The debate on responses to terrorism should take place in a human rights framework. The Government should seek more democratic scrutiny of its claims about the level of threat from international terrorism and the appropriateness of Government anti-terrorism measures. There is a need for safeguards against injustice in the activities of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, for instance, the admissibility of evidence obtained by torture, and the role of the special advocates appointed by the Attorney General, and the prohibition of contact between the detainee and the special advocate. There is an inherent danger of anti-Muslim bias in these Government measures. |