British writers pick up pens to protest 42-day terror suspect detentions

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Forty-two renowned British writers on Sunday picked up their pens to protest a proposed anti-terror law that would allow police to hold terror suspects without charge for up to 42 days. Each of the authors participating composed a piece of writing about the anti-terror legislation. The writings were posted on the Web Sunday, one day ahead of a critical parliamentary vote on the issue. Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently expressed his commitment to extending the pre-charge detention period from 28 to 42 days. The counterterrorism measure is one of several that Britain has considered or adopted since suicide bombers killed 52 rush-hour commuters in 2005. The writers' action comes ahead of a vote Monday on the legislation in the House of Lords, where the proposal is expected to meet serious opposition. The legislation narrowly made it through the House of Commons this summer.