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General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Thursday 14th February 2008 PM

14 February 2008

 

FAREWELLS

The Archbishop of Canterbury paid tribute to the Rt Revd Bill Ind, Bishop of Truro; and the Rt Revd Jack Nicholls, Bishop of Sheffield.

 

Audio of farewells (.wma file)

Audio of farewells (MP3 file)

 

DETENTION WITHOUT CHARGE: Report from the Mission and Public Affairs Council

Following debate, Dr Philip Giddings (Oxford) moved the following motion, which was carried by the Synod by 235 votes to 2 (with 7 recorded abstentions).

'That the Synod, mindful both of the Christian teaching that enforcement of law should be just in process and outcome, and of the challenge that the advent of suicide attacks poses for the general public and for those who bear responsibility for protecting the public from terrorism:

(a) emphasise the importance of society maintaining a careful balance between the liberty of the individual and the needs of national security;

(b) express grave concern that an extension to the current 28-day maximum period for detention without charge of terrorist suspects would in the absence of the most compelling arguments, disturb that balance unacceptably;

(c) while welcoming the release of most UK prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, deplore the continued holding of prisoners there without charge of due process and encourage Her Majesty's Government to continue to use all available means to press the United States administration to close the Guantanamo Bay facility and restore the full application of the rule of law; and

(d) affirm the desirability of an early review by the Government of the restrictions and other obligations that may be imposed on individuals under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 and the use of undisclosed material in control order proceedings.'

 

Audio of debate (.wma file)

Audio of debate (MP3 file)

 

PROROGATION

The Archbishop of Canterbury formally closed the Group of Sessions.