Friday 11th March to Saturday 12th March 2005

Why we need to lobby:

Under the so-called ‘war on terror’, the UK government has waged war abroad and systematically terrorised migrant and Muslim communities at home. ‘Anti-terror’ laws have introduced imprisonment without trial. They have broadened the definition of terrorism to include normal political activities. They authorize stop-and-searches and even detention in the name of ‘suspicion’ or ‘association’ with terrorism.

Here is what two Law Lords said in their judgement against internment powers under the 2001 anti-terror law:

"The real threat to the life of the nation, in the sense of a people living in accordance with its traditional laws and political values, comes not from terrorism but from laws such as these." Law Lord Hoffman, 18 Dec 2004

"Indefinite imprisonment...on grounds not disclosed, is the stuff of nightmares, associated with France before and during the revolution, with Soviet Russia in the Stalinist era, and now associated, as a result of section 23 of the 2001 Act, with the United Kingdom". Law Lord Scott, 18 Dec 2004

The Campaign Against Criminalising Communities (CAMPACC) is organizing a national constituency lobby for human rights and civil liberties against the extreme powers exercised by the Home Secretary under so-called ‘anti-terror’ laws. We also oppose the government’s plans to further erode civil liberties, e.g. by introducing trials without jury and identity cards. We will counter the pretext of a 'war on terror’, which has been used to erode human rights and civil liberties. There is no credible evidence that the ‘anti-terror’ laws have made our lives safer. On the contrary, these laws feed on and perpetuate the politics of fear.

We aim to mobilise local organisations and communities to lobby all MPs, so that they are held accountable for their stance on ‘anti-terror’ powers.

Who is sponsoring the lobby:

Organisations: Muslim Parliament, Voices in the Wilderness, Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers, CND, Liberty, Stop Political Terror, 1990 Trust; Respect- The Unity Coalition; Stop the War Coalition; Red Pepper; The Green Party.

Individuals: Kevin McNamara MP, John McDonnell MP, Tony Benn, Bruce Kent, Gareth Peirce, Louise Christian, Lord Rea, Victoria Brittain, Liz Fekete, Jean Lambert MEP.

When is the national lobby taking place:

The lobby will take place from Friday 11th March to Saturday 12th March, when Parliament is in recess. We are hoping that all 659 MPs across the UK will be lobbied by their constituents.

If your MP is not available at that time, then be flexible but make sure that you get to see him/her at another time, preferably by mid-March. For people in the London area, Westminster may be a convenient location.

What we all want:

a) Stop the politics of fear and state culture of ‘suspicion’
b) End indefinite detention without trial. Release the `suspects’ imprisoned under the 2001 law or give them a fair jury trial.
c) End all detention without trial including imprisonment, house arrests and control orders. Release all the ‘suspects’ arrested under the 2001 law or give them a fair jury trial.
d) No acceptance of evidence obtained through torture under any conditions.
e) Immediate release of British citizens and British residents held in Guantanamo. End UK government complicity in detentions there. The government must investigate fully the allegations of torture in all these cases, especially the role of MI5.
f) No extradition or deportation of suspects to USA and other countries where human rights, fair trial and freedom from torture are not guaranteed.
g) Stop criminalising Muslim, refugee and minority communities under the anti-terror laws.
h) No bans on political organisations and or crimes of ‘association’ with them.
i) No further powers that further erode civil liberties and the right to jury trial. These powers include ID cards and restrictions on the right to peaceful protest, as well as the anti-terrorism powers

What we should demand of MPs:

• MPs should give a public undertaking not to vote for renewal or extension of ‘anti-terror’ laws, especially the internment powers, which may come up for renewal in March.
  
• MPs should sign Kevin McNamara’s Early Day Motion 426 ‘Belmarsh Judgement’ dated 20.12.04 (deadline 20th February) and to seek oppose powers of internment. Among other proposals, the EDM urges the government to bring forward legislative changes to ATCSA 2001 in order to conform to the Law Lords judgement and respond to the concerns expressed by the JCHR and Privy Councillor Review Committee.

What you can do:

1) Send a letter by email or fax to press your MP o the two above demands: an undertaking to sign EDM 426 of 20.12.04 (by 20 February) and an undertaking to vote against any renewal or extension of ‘anti-terror’ powers. A draft letter is on our website.
2) Take an active part in the lobby. Book an appointment to see your MP on 11th or 12th March or any time your MP agrees to meet you, preferably by mid-March. Fax your MP- fhttp://www.faxyourmp.org.uk/
3) Inform us about the time and place of lobby in your constituency, with contact details of the coordinator, so that this information can be posted on our website. Our email address is humanrightslobby@yahoo.co.uk
4) Raise the human rights and civil liberties issues that most concern you.
5) Publicise the lobby (in your community, workplace, party, trade union, peace group, women’s group, etc.) and ask others to join you for the lobby.
6) See Briefing Notes and other documents on our website to help you make your case.
Join CAMPACC’s e-mail list to keep up with latest legal and political developments. To join our email list, send a mail to estella24@tiscali.co.uk

Campaign Against Criminalising Communities (CAMPACC), www.cacc.org.uk

Contact for the National lobby: humanrightslobby@yahoo.co.uk