MEPs anti-terror legislation fears confirmed - Watson

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Jun 2005

Britain's anti-terror legislation has come under heavy fire today with the publication of a long-awaited report by the European body responsible for human rights.

The report by the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights is highly critical of Britain's Control and anti-social behaviour orders which the government managed to scrape through parliament in the face of huge opposition.

Commenting on the report which condemns Britain's, post 9/11, anti-terrorism measures, Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament said:

"This report only confirms my belief that the approach of the British Government is wrong. To systematically arrest and interrogate people, based upon what the authorities perceive to be their beliefs, is against traditional British values and is tearing the very fabric of our society."

"As a nation, under the guise of terrorism, we have allowed this Government to deny people their human rights. These measures are institutionalising Islamophobia. The Muslim population of Europe represents the largest minority group and to target them only serves to alienate a valuable section of our society."

"Does the Government not realise that it plays into the hands of extremists by taking this approach? Why is it that a citizen's loyalty can be called into question at any time simply because of the way he looks or based upon the religion that he is perceived to follow?"

Commenting on the delay of the publication of the report till after the UK general election, Graham Watson said:

"The timing of this report has allowed the Government to evade facing these issues during the general election. I suspect the Government dragged its feet in order to avoid further scrutiny and criticism in May. That is opportunistic and irresponsible behaviour for which we, as a nation, may have to pay a heavy price if this situation is allowed to persist."