"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

Edmund Burke (1729 — 1797)

July Seventh and the Loss of Civil Liberties
FILM SHOWING & DEBATE WITH SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS IN BEESTON, LEEDS

Moazzam Begg, a US detention camp detainee and accused ‘enemy combatant’ and Annie Machon, a former Mi5 counter terrorism officer and whistleblower will be among the speakers at a debate in Beeston, Leeds.

Extra-judicial detention, the nature of the threat of terrorism and the effect of alienating communities will be debated.

In the aftermath of the London Bombings of July 7th 2005 Britain has become a state where detention without trial is real concern for many. Civilians can be detained without trial on mere suspicion alone. Detention camps have been home to many arrested under suspicion of terrorist links, only to be released without charge years later after no evidence could be found to support the accusations.

Moazzam Begg spent just over three years in extra-judicial detention in Guantánamo Bay and other US detention camps. In 2005, he was released without charge, compensation or even an apology; he remains subject to a ban preventing him from travelling outside of the UK. It is the sort of treatment that could radicalise the most placid of moderates. Yet Moazzam is seen by many as a rational, eloquent and, most ironically, a staunch advocate of traditional 'Western' freedoms.

The police and security services who job it is to protect us have a disconcerting history when it comes to successfully prosecuting terrorists. An additionally troublesome fact is that agencies funded by our taxes have engaged in direct acts of terrorism and supported extremist terrorist groups.

Annie Machon is a former counter-terrorism officer for MI5 who became a whistleblower. She, along with her former partner and MI5 colleague David Shayler, exposed many crimes committed by the intelligence agencies, up to and including these acts of state-sponsored, false-flag terrorism. She is now a peace campaigner and also co-chair of the 911 Truth Campaign in the UK and lectures around the world on the influence western intelligence agencies have had with illegal acts of terrorism.

In this context the question our unwarranted level of trust in the security services becomes very much apparent – and dangerous. Can we really, blindly accept the offerings of official narratives over thorough independent public inquiries and expect for our trust never to be abused?

Sunday 9th March 2008 at the Hamara Healthy Living Centre, Tempest Road, Leeds LS11 6RD. Doors open at 6.30pm.