42 Days

At this very moment the commons are debating on laws that will alter the power of police and the rights of many Muslim people. I say Muslim because they are the ones who are targeted under the Terrorism Act but as we have seen it can exist in many forms. The man with a grudge, Miles Cooper, sent letter bombs to various locations to protest against an authoritarian state.

I have had many British Asian friends who have been stopped and searched at train stations, and airports, and they have been mostly male, with a beard and carrying a bag. That generic description seems to be the criteria for a stop and search.

An arrest is based on more evidence but how far do these laws stretch when it comes to the evidence. Take a look at the report in The Guardian and about the grounds on which this young, politically active, Muslim student was arrested. This is one of many case studies which demonstrate the damaging effect on the lives of innocent people held under the current counter-terrorism laws. An extension of those laws will not only hand over more power to the police but will be a huge violation on human rights if that person held turns out to be, like many others, innocent.

Tony Blair tried and failed to bring in the 90 day detention law and now Brown is making his mark with this new proposal. Jacqui Smith has offered to help the commons with this decision. Both the Home Secretary and Tony McNulty say that it is just a precaution and that the entire 42 days might never be used in reality.

However in the UK’s current climate terrorism is number one on the list of the crime people fear in Britain. This fear can be used to legitimise the detention of suspects but it can also lead to the discrimination of those held and released without charge. The stigma attached to the crime can stay with them for a lifetime.

I believe it is essential to be able to build up a case against terrorists but not at the expense of innocent people. Britain has the longest detention times for terrorists compared to the rest of the world and this issue needs to be re-analysed and tested not just debated by MP’s.

Reports state that the outcome of today's vote is unpredictable but if the government wins the Tories will repeal the decision. Just last week Sir John Major launched an attack not only on the 42 day detention plans but on Labour's war on terror since 2001.

It will take 35 rebel Labour MP's to defeat the proposals, we will have to wait and see...