22nd November 2010
Time for a Good News Round-Up
Mark Hanson
Being engaged in campaigning against what has been a steady erosion of civil liberties in the United Kingdom, there is a danger of becoming focussed on the negative news. So, as opportunity has presented itself, it is time for an article that focuses, mainly, on some more positive developments.
Although the situation in civil liberties is still dangerous, both in the UK and throughout the world, there is also cause to rejoice.
Globally, perhaps the greatest news is the release of the Burmese democracy activist, Aung San Suu Kyi. The junta in Myanmar has given freedom to the campaigner, yet she calls for the release of the hundreds of political prisoners still languishing in jail. Aung San is still subject to constant surveillance, and it remains to be seen whether or not another term of house arrest will take place, yet the news is certainly cause for jubilation.
Closer to home, Ed Balls, the shadow Home Secretary, has indicated that Labour may have been wrong in some of its terror policies. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Balls said that the moves to pre-charge detention of up to 42 days was “a step too far”, as he signalled that Labour may support a reduction in the maximum time to 14 days. The Home Secretary, Theresa May, is known to favour a 14 day time limit.
There have also been moves to suggest that there will be a replacement to the draconian control order scheme, after intense campaigns by human rights groups including Amnesty International. Various options are now being voiced, most notably using travel restrictions rather than virtual house arrest, yet the principle of innocence until proven otherwise still seems to be on the back-burner in UK policy.
Additionally, the guidelines issued by the Home Office to police conducting stop-and-searches have had the reference to using racial profiling removed, and a clear assertion that criteria included in anti-discrimination laws cannot be used as the basis for a stop-and-search. This means that race and ethnicity, as well as other criteria such as age or disability, cannot be used as a basis for a stop.
Overall, November has been a good month, and the coming months are to be looked forward to, as the Freedom (Great Repeal) Bill is presented to Parliament and the review of counter-terrorism policies is published.
Yet we must not rest on our laurels, as the general trend is still towards more totalitarian and oppressive policies, and the families of those who have been targeted by over-the-top laws and methods will still wonder how such situations could occur in a supposedly free country.
