The US isn't the only country with a firm eye on terrorism — and they're certainly not alone walking the tricky line between government abilities to crack down in meaningful ways and civil liberties. The British House of Commons is set to vote on a measure allowing police to detain people for up to 42 days without charge if they're suspected of terrorism-related activities.
Human rights organizations are outraged by the provision. Amnesty International, has launched an online petition called, "Say 'No' to 42 Days" saying of the measure, "Allowing police to lock people up for a month and a half without charge will undermine basic human rights to which everyone in the UK is entitled." Human Rights Watch issued a statement saying that, "giving British authorities the power to detain terrorism suspects for up to six weeks without charge violates the fundamental right to liberty and risks undermining counterterrorism efforts."
Those closer to the government are speaking out as well. To see what they had to say, read more.
The former British spy chief says holding suspects for six weeks is excessive. Though the bill might be defeated in the House of Lords, it faces a round of political back and forth if the government insists on the plan. The House of Lords own blog says it's probably a portion of the bill that will ultimately be decided by the courts.
With the government in Britain already able to access scads of personal information, where is the line between safety and rights? Is 42 days too long to be held without charge?
Piquadro
No Romeo
Kova And T
I'd like to hear from someone in England, but it seems to me that they're keeping pace with the Bush Administration when it comes to sacrificing civil liberties to paranoia.
142 is the answer to the life, the universe, and everything...
2Off subject, but I love that picture! It reminds me of the rainy days I spent in London.
3Verily, I always say that. Whenever anyone says, "I have a question." I say 42! lol, you're a big nerd too! Excuse me, dork!
4Must be an East Texas thing.
5See..I equate the number 42 to the best defensive back in NFL history, Ronnie Lott.
6GS, maybe it's a Texas thing in general? I know us Austinites always know where our towels are.
7One of the things I have always found hardest to understand about humans is their habit of continuously stating and repeating the very very obvious, as in It's a nice day, or You're very tall, or Oh dear you seem to have fallen down a thirty-foot well, are you all right?
8In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.
9"Please relax," said the voice pleasantly, like a stewardess in an airliner with only one wing and two engines, one of which is on fire, "you are perfectly safe."
10Ok, I've wandered from a thread and into movie quote land. Unfortunately, I don't know the movies...
11Dave I mentioned football. I KNOW you're familiar with that
12I'll give you a hint:
It's a five part book trilogy.
They did make it into a TERRIBLE movie though.
13My bad. Yes Ronnie was/is the greatest ever.
Back to the topic. "Is 42 days too long?" is the wrong question. The correct question should be "Is 42 years too long?" Me thinks we need to remember that these people want you dead, and aren't going to settle for anything less than your head on a platter.
145 part book trilogy? Doesn't the fact that it's 5 parts make it a pentology?
15GS, I kind of liked the movie. Of course the books are better, but the movie was still cute! I liked the little mice
Poor Dave, we won't tell him!
16Ok, so what was the book?
17Nevermind. Hitchhiker's guide. Never read it. Saw the first part of the movie, and couldn't stand it.
18Haha, the movie is certainly not for everybody.
19
20The problem I had with the movie was that in series there were hundreds of characters, yet they felt they had to manifest new ones. Also, zaphod, while I love the actor, was all wrong. Unfortunately I am a book purist. I fall in LOVE with books. That is why when a movie comes out I know that 9 times out of 10 the license the screen writer takes will usually disappoint me. I am nervous as hell about Slaughterhouse 5. I adore that book.
21Dave, you would love the books. They are so cheeky, right up your alley.
22I don't think the books are for Dave, they're awfully silly.
23I totally agree with you GS. My imagination creates a movie that is far superior to any movie I'd see on the big screen.
24I'll try the series again then, just for you GS.
25Awesome! They are great. But like mich said, be prepared, they are cheeky as hell.
26and blue, that is exactly it.
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