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26/01/2005
NI Human Rights Commission hit out at ‘house arrest’ plans
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has criticised today’s announcement by Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, that the detention of foreign terror suspects without trial is to be replaced by a form of “house arrest”.
The Home Secretary's proposed "control orders" would also cover UK citizens and follow a Law Lords ruling that the detentions contravened European human rights laws.
However, in a statement released today the Commission said it was firmly against the use of indefinite detention without trial.
Chief Commissioner Professor Brice Dickson, said: “Although we welcome today’s decision by Government that the indefinite detention in prison without trial of terror suspects in Britain breaches human rights laws, the use of controls such as home arrest raises further concerns and may well need a new opt-out for Britain from the European Convention on Human Rights.
“We believe the Government needs to launch a wider review of its use of anti-terrorism powers and that the experience of Northern Ireland should be closely examined as part of this exercise.”
Professor Dickson said the Commission was calling on the government to put in place alternative measures that “are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and with the Council of Europe’s guidelines on countering terrorism while protecting human rights”.
He said: “We have suggested the use of intercept evidence, tagging devices and better protection for informers and agents rather than the use of indefinite detention without trial."
Today’s announcement by Mr Clarke comes as 12 men continue to be detained without trial under the existing powers introduced after the US terror attacks on 11 September 2001.
Deals are already being sought to deport some of the men who are currently being held in Belmarsh Prison, London.
(MB/SP)
The Home Secretary's proposed "control orders" would also cover UK citizens and follow a Law Lords ruling that the detentions contravened European human rights laws.
However, in a statement released today the Commission said it was firmly against the use of indefinite detention without trial.
Chief Commissioner Professor Brice Dickson, said: “Although we welcome today’s decision by Government that the indefinite detention in prison without trial of terror suspects in Britain breaches human rights laws, the use of controls such as home arrest raises further concerns and may well need a new opt-out for Britain from the European Convention on Human Rights.
“We believe the Government needs to launch a wider review of its use of anti-terrorism powers and that the experience of Northern Ireland should be closely examined as part of this exercise.”
Professor Dickson said the Commission was calling on the government to put in place alternative measures that “are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and with the Council of Europe’s guidelines on countering terrorism while protecting human rights”.
He said: “We have suggested the use of intercept evidence, tagging devices and better protection for informers and agents rather than the use of indefinite detention without trial."
Today’s announcement by Mr Clarke comes as 12 men continue to be detained without trial under the existing powers introduced after the US terror attacks on 11 September 2001.
Deals are already being sought to deport some of the men who are currently being held in Belmarsh Prison, London.
(MB/SP)
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20 October 2005
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Human rights are central to citizenship and have an important role to play in moving Northern Ireland towards an equal, just and peaceful future. That was the message from Education Minister, Angela Smith, at today's cross-border conference on Human Rights Education in Dublin.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
