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Legal threat over detentions
bill
BBC
Monday, March 31, 2008
Plans to extend the limit on detaining terror suspects without
charge to 42 days could face an Equality and Human Rights Commission
court challenge.
They say plans to increase the limit from 28 days could contravene
the law.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says it is the commission's job "to
challenge and scrutinise", but said Parliament should have
its say before any court case.
She added that her plan was intended to safeguard the "most
fundamental right" - not to be a victim of terrorism.
The Home Office said it had consulted to win as much consensus
as possible.
(Article continues below)
Legal principles
Ministers have come up against strong opposition from Tories,
Lib Dems and some Labour MPs over terror detentions.
The commission says the proposed law could contravene race equality
legislation, as it is being established to deal with a particular
religious and racial minority.
It told MPs in a briefing note: "If adopted, we may seek
to use our legal powers to challenge the lawfulness of the provisions
and establish clear legal principles on the use of pre-trial detention."
The watchdog says the provisions set out by the Home Office are
unlikely to meet threshold tests of public interest, justification
or fairness.
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INFOWARS:
BECAUSE THERE'S A WAR ON FOR YOUR MIND
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