text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Bill - Indefinite detention of suspected terrorists
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  The majority of MPs voted in favour of setting up a scheme which allowed for the indefinite detention without charge of a "suspected international terrorist".[1][2]
  
  (This vote followed one which set up a scheme whereby the Home Secretary could issue a certificate that someone is an international terrorist.)[3]
  
  Specifically, these powers were exercised under the laws enabling the arrest and detention of non-UK citizens pending deportation[4] despite the fact that removal or departure from the United Kingdom is prevented by international law (eg they would be tortured or killed in the country they were sent to).
  
  In practice up to 20 suspects were held in secret in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmarsh Belmarsh] without access to the evidence against them.[5]
  
  As this was a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights, the United Kingdom applied a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Convention_on_Human_Rights#Article_15_-_derogations derogation] by declaring that there was a public emergency threatening the existence of the nation.[6]
  
  In December 2004 the Law Lords ruled that the application of these laws violated the Human Rights Act because it discriminated against non-citizens (UK citizens could just as well be terrorists, but would not be subject to this law) and that there was in fact no evident threat to the life of the nation.  Furthermore, they added that such a threat -- 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."[7]
  
  The state of public emergency was accordingly lifted in 2005,[8] and the suspects were released to serve under a regime of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_orders Control orders].
  
  * [1] [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2001/ukpga_20010024_en_4#pt4-pb1-l1g22  Deportation, Removal and Detention], Clauses 22 and 23, Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act, 2001
  * [2] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-terrorism%2C_Crime_and_Security_Act_2001#Part_4 Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, Part 4], Wikipedia
  * [3] [http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2001-11-21&number=75   Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Bill - Terrorist certification by Home Secretary], House of Commons, 21 November 2001
  * [4] [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=Immigration+Act+&Year=1971&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=1578007&ActiveTextDocId=1578509&filesize=272 Immigration Act 1971], Schedule 3 
  * [5] [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2002/sep/09/september11.politics No names, no charges, no explanations: the plight of Britain's interned 'terrorists'], The Guardian, 9 September, 2002
  * [6] [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2001/20013644.htm The Human Rights Act 1998 (Designated Derogation) Order 2001], Statutory Instrument, 11 November 2001
  * [7] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200405/ldjudgmt/jd041216/a&oth-1.htm Judgments - A (FC) and others (FC) (Appellants) v. Secretary of State for the Home Department (Respondent)], House of Lords, 16 December 2004
  * [8] [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051071.htm The Human Rights Act 1998 (Amendment) Order 2005], 3 April 2005
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  