Ben Ward (London, Human Rights Watch): Gordon Brown becoming Prime Minister is a natural moment to review Britain's approach to counterterrorism. Since the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington, the government has introduced a series of security measures that violate human rights. These measures include indefinite detention, control orders, and efforts to return terrorism suspects to countries where they face torture based on empty promises of humane treatment contained in "memorandums of understanding." On 7 June, the Home Office signaled its intention to introduce new counterterrorism legislation later this year, including a renewed attempt to allow terrorism suspects to be detained for 90 days without charge.
Gordon Brown has recently acknowledged that winning "the battle of hearts and minds" is central if terrorism is to be tackled . But as a new briefing paper from Human Rights Watch points out, Britain's current approach fails that test. Security measures introduced in the UK since 2001 have eroded public trust in law enforcement and security services, alienated the communities whose cooperation is vital in the fight against terrorism, and tarnished Britain's international reputation as a champion of human rights. The new Prime Minister has an opportunity to change course, and put human rights at the centre of security policy. If he is serious about winning hearts and minds, he must seize it.
Moderator: As Human Rights Watch releases its scathing report on British counter-terrorist policy today, the UN special rapporteur for torture offers a bleak view of the UK and US' conduct of the "war on terror". Read the full interview with Manfred Nowak on terrorism.openDemocracy.net.
