MPs warned over 'climate of fear'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Amnesty International appealed to potential opponents of the anti-terror measure on the eve of a showdown Commons vote in which Gordon Brown's authority is on the line.

With Labour MPs under intense pressure to side with the Government, the human rights group called on them to resist succumbing to "the climate of fear that terrorists seek to breed among us".

More than 7,160 people have signed a petition on the Number 10 website, organised by Amnesty, opposing any increase in the current 28-day limit to detention without charge.

In a letter to backbench MPs thought pivotal to the outcome of the vote, Amnesty's UK director, Kate Allen, said the vote represented a watershed for human rights in the UK.

About 50 Labour MPs have expressed concern about the measures, threatening to join the Tories and Liberal Democrats in opposing the 42-day measure in the Counter-Terrorism Bill.

While the Government has tried to buy off rebels with assurances about when it would be invoked and how early MPs would be given a say, Ms Allen insisted the concessions were inadequate.

"All states have an obligation to act to protect people from terrorism," she said.

"The perpetrators of terrorist attacks must be brought to justice. However, unless governments respond to the threat of international terrorism with measures that are fully grounded in respect for human rights, they risk undermining the values they seek to protect and defend.

"You have an opportunity this week to defend the values that underpin civil liberties in this country. I urge you to stand in support of principles that lie at the heart of our society, principles such as justice and liberty. The alternative is to succumb to the climate of fear that terrorists seek to breed among us."