First arrests under anti-terror laws
; | 19.12.2001 16:09
Several foreign terror suspects have been detained under new anti-terrorism legislation.
The measures, which became law last week, were brought in to fight Osama Bin Laden's terrorist network and other groups.
Immigration officers, backed up by police, raided addresses in London, Bedfordshire and the West Midlands in an operation targeting people suspected of plotting terror acts.
It is believed between eight to 10 people were detained in the raids, and the operation is ongoing.
Controversial
Under the new measures - part of the government's anti-terror legislation passed last week - foreign-born terror suspects can be detained without trial.
It is one of the most controversial aspects of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act and has been attacked by civil liberties campaigners.
It requires part of the Human Rights Act to be set aside and for the home secretary to deem the UK to be in a state of emergency.
It is thought that those held on Wednesday, who are now being detained in secure units around the country, are either of Middle Eastern or North African origin.
A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire Police confirmed two men were detained at two separate addresses in Luton.
She said a "handful" of police officers provided back-up to Immigration Service officials during the operation.
She said: "We were there to support the Immigration Service in a keep-the-peace type role.
"There were a handful of officers and it was just a polite knock on the door."
The BBC's Margaret Gilmore said all suspects were foreign nationals, but it was believed some had exceptional leave to stay in the country because of the risk posed to them if they return to their own country.
They were suspected of having links to the al-Qaeda network but could not be arrested under normal UK law because the police did not have enough evidence they were involved in terrorist activity.
'Unjust'
MI5 is believed to have drawn up a list of about a dozen names several weeks ago and submitted them to the home secretary for approval.
The suspects can be held for six months, after which their cases will be reviewed by an immigration appeals tribunal.
The new laws, which were passed on Friday, enable police to hold non-UK citizens without trial where deportation is not possible.
Director of the campaign group Liberty, John Wadham, said the detentions were "utterly unjust" and again pledged to challenge the legislation in the courts.
"Arrests under these powers stamp all over basic principles of British justice and the European Convention of Human Rights - even the government admits that," he said.
The measures, which became law last week, were brought in to fight Osama Bin Laden's terrorist network and other groups.
Immigration officers, backed up by police, raided addresses in London, Bedfordshire and the West Midlands in an operation targeting people suspected of plotting terror acts.
It is believed between eight to 10 people were detained in the raids, and the operation is ongoing.
Controversial
Under the new measures - part of the government's anti-terror legislation passed last week - foreign-born terror suspects can be detained without trial.
It is one of the most controversial aspects of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act and has been attacked by civil liberties campaigners.
It requires part of the Human Rights Act to be set aside and for the home secretary to deem the UK to be in a state of emergency.
It is thought that those held on Wednesday, who are now being detained in secure units around the country, are either of Middle Eastern or North African origin.
A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire Police confirmed two men were detained at two separate addresses in Luton.
She said a "handful" of police officers provided back-up to Immigration Service officials during the operation.
She said: "We were there to support the Immigration Service in a keep-the-peace type role.
"There were a handful of officers and it was just a polite knock on the door."
The BBC's Margaret Gilmore said all suspects were foreign nationals, but it was believed some had exceptional leave to stay in the country because of the risk posed to them if they return to their own country.
They were suspected of having links to the al-Qaeda network but could not be arrested under normal UK law because the police did not have enough evidence they were involved in terrorist activity.
'Unjust'
MI5 is believed to have drawn up a list of about a dozen names several weeks ago and submitted them to the home secretary for approval.
The suspects can be held for six months, after which their cases will be reviewed by an immigration appeals tribunal.
The new laws, which were passed on Friday, enable police to hold non-UK citizens without trial where deportation is not possible.
Director of the campaign group Liberty, John Wadham, said the detentions were "utterly unjust" and again pledged to challenge the legislation in the courts.
"Arrests under these powers stamp all over basic principles of British justice and the European Convention of Human Rights - even the government admits that," he said.
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First arrests
20.12.2001 02:17
[Armed police]
Police swooped on suspects in series of dawn raids
A number of foreign-born terror suspects have been arrested under new
anti-terrorism laws.
Police and immigration officers raided addresses in London, Bedfordshire
and the West Midlands in an operation targeting people suspected of
plotting terror acts.
Their identities have not been revealed but it is thought London-based
Muslim cleric Abu Qatada may have been among those held.
Under the new measures - part of the government's anti-terror
legislation passed last week - foreign-born terror suspects can be
detained without trial.
MI5 is believed to have drawn up a list of about a dozen names several
weeks ago and submitted them to the home secretary for approval.
It is understood that the suspects will be in indefinite custody by the
end of the day.
The new laws, which were passed on Friday, enable police to hold non-UK
citizens without trial where deportation is not possible.
one reporter
Detained with little chance of appeal
21.12.2001 17:51
Imprisoning people without trial is utterly unjust. Those held under this Act have a limited right of appeal through the Special Immigration Appeal Commission. Full access to evidence is denied, not only to those detained but also to their legal representation. The system that holds them does not have to be fully accountable to anyone. The Special Immigration Appeal Commission is simply not designed to deal with indefinite detention of this kind. The case does not have to be proved beyond reasonable doubt. There is no presumption of innocence. There is no requirement for quality checks on evidence presented .
How likely is it, in these conditions, that an appeal can be conducted in a fair and just manner?
How likely is it that this legislation will be used to sidestep asylum legislation and lead to racist deportation by the back door?
Protest, Manchester, end of Market St 12 noon tomorrow, Saturday 22nd December.
We have to stop this.
; heather
e-mail:
roserat@btinternet.com
In Which Country?
22.12.2001 17:27
This is Britain after the Anti-Terrorism Act 2001. Last week, eight people were detained under these conditions. Indefinitely.
If there is evidence that individuals are guilty of crime, they should be charged and put on trial. We pride ourselves on the idea that the justice system in this country is exactly that, fair and just. If you are detained under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2001 you are immediately guilty without trial or fair appeal. Is this democratic British justice? We should be ashamed of our Government. If we take no action against this, we should be ashamed of ourselves.
jenny