Evan Harris Acclaims the Rejection of Pre-Charge Detention Extension by Human Rights Committee

11.14.26am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 30th Jul 2007

Commenting on the Joint Committee on Human Rights report Counter-Terrorism Policy and Human Rights: 28 days, intercept and post-charge questioning, Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris, who is a member of the Committee said:

"This is the most detailed analysis so far of the evidence-base for extending pre-charge detention beyond 28 days. It utterly refutes the suggestion that there is currently a good case to extend beyond 28 days.

"Our report sets out for the first time the evidence and analysis that would be needed before Parliament is even asked to consider extending the time limit. 'Just in case' or precautionary extensions to detention are not acceptable from human rights point of view.

"The recent government paper on options for pre-charge detention admits that there has been no case so far where extension beyond 28 days would have led to a charge that could not otherwise be laid.

"The report focuses attention on those innocent suspects detained without charge right up to 28 days and then released with no charge and indeed no further suspicion.

"No other European country tolerates such extended periods of detention without charge and neither should Britain, just because politicians or the police say it might come in useful later on.

Commenting on the admissibility of intercept evidence, also considered by the committee, Dr Harris said:

"The arguments in favour of using intercept evidence are clear. Ministers should concentrate on new ways of bringing prosecutions and laying charges, before seeking the lazy and pernicious option of extending pre-charge incarceration."