18.2.09

File Under 'Duh'.


Former MI5 chief: Government exploits terror fears to restrict civil liberties

Stella Rimington attacks British and American leadership over surveillance and alleged torture techniques.

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The former head of MI5 has accused ministers of exploiting fears over terrorism to restrict civil liberties, adding to mounting criticism of the government's record on human rights.

In an interview with a Spanish newspaper, Stella Rimington said state interference in people's privacy played into the hands of terrorists.

"It would be better that the government recognised that there are risks rather than frightening people in order to be able to pass laws which restrict civil liberties, [which is] precisely one of the objects of terrorism: that we live in fear and under a police state," she told La Vanguardia.

(from The Guardian - read more)


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