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Terrorism


Detention without Charge (GS1681)

In February 2008 the Synod debated a motion that raised three issues about the balancing of the demand for security from terrorist attack with the protection of civil rights and liberties. They were the proposed extension of the 28-day limit in pre-charge detention, the use of control orders and issues raised by the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

Prior to the Synod debate, in October 2007, the Mission & Public Affairs Council submitted a response to the Home Office paper on 'Options for pre-charge detention in terrorist cases.' A copy of the accompanying press release can be read here.

Facing the Challenge of Terrorism (GS1595)

This debate in November 2005 gave the Synod the opportunity of reflecting on the events in London of 7 July and the Government’s response to them.

Reports in the press were misleading when they claimed that the Church ‘supported the police’s shoot-to-kill policy’, said the Bishop of Southwark, who introduced the debate. Instead, the report recognised that an effective counter-terrorism strategy could include lethal force as a last resort, but that any such response must be based on reliable intelligence. The motion that was carried unanimously urged political parties to heed the warnings from history over the progressive erosion of fundamental rights when considering new legislation. It concluded with a call to members of the Church of England to promote greater understanding, reconciliation and respect within their local communities, especially where there are significant numbers from other faith traditions.