MPs warn terror laws are being used unfairly on Muslims

New fears emerged yesterday over the anti-terrorism laws introduced by David Blunkett after the September 11th attacks. MPs have blamed the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act of 2001 for the "corrosion" of human rights in Britain. The report by the Joint Committee on Human Rights stated that discrimination was inherent in the legislation.

Newly elected Lib Dem MP Parmjit Singh Gill said, "The Liberal Democrats have heavily criticised the anti-terrorism laws ever since they were implemented by David Blunkett just weeks after the atrocities. It seems this latest report has confirmed our fears that the laws are being used unfairly on Muslims.

"The Labour government is completely ignoring its human rights obligations by detaining foreign nationals indefinitely without trial. The legislation has merely served to breed intolerance and prejudice in our communities.

Notes to editors:

Liberty, the Civil Rights group, has been one of the government's fiercest critics and described the current government approach as "almost certainly counter-productive."