London, UK, June 11th 2008 – The House of Commons has approved a series of draconian measures, some of which would be condemned outright by Britain were regimes like Zimbabwe or Burma to implement them. ‘Suspects’ in terrorism cases can now be held for the equivalent of a 3 month jail sentence without even being charged with a crime. If the bill is passed, Parliament will in effect, legalise internment. By voting for these measures, it has illustrated fundamental deficiencies in the political system in Britain. Furthermore, added to the creation by politicians, the media and security services of a ‘suspect’ community, these measures further push Britain’s security system into a kind of ‘Liberal Inquistion’.
Taji Mustafa, Media Representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said "Gordon Brown has not used evidence or principle to garner support for this bill, but the fear of a humiliating party political defeat. It is but the latest example of the games politicians play with security matters. We are told that over 65% of the public support this measure, showing that ‘government for the people’ is little more than playing to the mob. The Tories sanctimonious claims to be ‘upholders of liberty’ is little more than cynical politics, for they also play to the mob by calling for the banning and criminalising of non-violent political groups.”
“The very fact that such draconian measures can be passed at all highlights the weakness of liberal democracies with regards to protecting their citizens against arbitrary detention and the legislative process. Principles that are claimed as fundamental and unshakeable, such as innocence until proven guilty, habeas corpus, and ‘free speech’ have been cast aside in the name of security – proving that, for liberal democracies, these are not really ‘principles’ at all. In the name of security the world has seen western governments legitimise 42 days internment, rendition, torture and the gulag at Guantanomo Bay.”
"Yet, whilst security is the excuse, naked political expediency has been the real reason. It is Machievellian principles that are the most fundamental and eternal in this system. It is only a matter of time before another ‘sacred’ principle is sacrificed at the altar of political expediency, whilst simultaneuosly lecturing the world about justice and human rights! Is it any wonder that Muslims are increasingly seeing through the deception of liberal democracy and are calling for the re-establishment of the Islamic political system, the Khilafah, across the Muslim world?”
“By contrast, the Khilafah (Caliphate), which is increasing called for in the Muslim world, has fixed principles within its legal framework which do not change because of external provocation or political expediency. Hence the Shariah absolutely forbids torture, spying on citizens, retrospective punishments and internment without trial. Everyone is seen as innocent till proven guilty and no Guantanomo Bay’s or Long Lartin style internment would be allowed under its constitution.”
[Ends]
Notes to Editors:
Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain will address a London seminar on these ‘anti-terror’ policies on [Thursday June 12th 2008 at 6.30 p.m.] at Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ.