Gordon Brown is being urged by MPs to abandon plans to detain terror suspects without charge for up to 42 days because the proposals are fundamentally flawed. In a blow to the government, which is facing defeat over the plan when MPs vote on the counter-terrorism bill next month, parliament's joint human rights committee criticised ministers. When the threatened new law was first proposed MPACUK were quick to take up the campaign to defend our freedoms against the government's ever more draconian 'anti-terror' laws. Now the vote in Parliament is fast approaching we call on everyone who cares about our rights and freedoms to act now to defend them.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “If one of you sees something wrong, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue. If he cannot, then with his heart and this is the weakest faith.” (Reported in Al-Bukhari)

What can we do?

1) Sign the Petition on the Downing Street website

2) Write to your local MP now to demand they oppose this attack on our human rights! (Tony Blair’s attempt to extend detention without charge to 90 days was defeated by MPs.)

Here are some points you can make in your own words (and more tips are available here):

· MPs should oppose any extension of detention without charge or trial.

· The Muslim community support the government in its aim of preventing terrorism. However, measures taken to combat terrorism must ensure that justice and basic human rights are not trampled on.

The UK police terrorism arrest statistics (excluding Northern Ireland) show that from 11 September 2001 – 31 March 2007, 96.6% of those arrested under the Terrorism Act, usually in the full glare of publicity, were innocent of any terrorist activity

· Detention without trial is counter-productive. It has been used before in Northern Ireland and did not lead to any improvement in security or reduction in terrorism. In fact, young republicans were radicalised by internment in the 1970’s.

· Any extension to the detention period is likely to be primarily used against Muslims. Figures released by the Home Office reveal the number of Asians (predominately Muslim) stopped and searched under the Terrorism Act 2000 increased by 300%. [Source: BBC News – 2 July 2004]

· The current 28 day limit of detention without trial is already the longest in Europe

· To surrender our democratic principles in this way would only hand victory to the real terrorists.

And don’t forget to include your full postal address so that your MP knows you do live in their constituency!

Contact Details:

Write to:

Your MP’s Name (not sure who your MP is? Find out here)

House of Commons

London SW1A 0AA

Or use: http://www.writetothem.com/

Please let MPACUK know how your MP responds – email us at info@mpacuk.org

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