MPs won't scrap detentions

On 25th February a motion calling for an end to detention without trial was defeated by 313 votes to 68. The motion, tabled by the Liberal Democrats, called for detentions to be scrapped in line with the reccomendations of a committee of privy councillors set up by parliament to review the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. Apparently 313 MPs think it acceptable that Britain has derogated from a section of the European Convention on Human Rights, and that Britain is arguably also in breach of the ban on "cruel and unusual punishments", from which no derogation is permitted.

A petition calling for an end to detention without trial was handed in at Downing Street on 13 December 2003. The petition included signatures collected by SACC in Scotland. Protestors enacted scenes from Guantanamo Bay in Trafalgar Square and Downing Street. The protest was organised by the Campaign Against Criminalising Communities (CAMPCC) with support from the Muslim Parliament of Britain and other organisations. CAMPACC are continuing to collect signatures for the petition.