So, who's got the world the wrong way round?
Terror laws
When people say to me... that we have got to keep people here who may be engaged actively in inciting terrorism in this country, I have to say I think we have got the world the wrong way round.
TONY BLAIR YESTERDAY
In confronting terrorism, we are fighting for the safety of our citizens but also for the preservation of our democratic way of life, our right to freedom of expression and commitment to the rule of law.
LORD GOLDSMITH, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Rendition
There is talk of 200 flights. There is no evidence of 200 flights for rendition... It is not the case that the US say they are returning people to countries for torture.
BLAIR YESTERDAY
The UK Government should have put in place all necessary measures to prevent any action or omission which may, wittingly or unwittingly, have resulted in the UK territory being used to transfer anyone to another state where that person faces a real risk of serious human rights violations, including enforced 'disappearances', torture or other ill-treatment, arbitrary detention or flagrant denial of their right to a fair trial.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Guantanamo
I have said why I think Guantanamo is an anomaly. I also think it is important that we never forget the context in which this has happened: the war in Afghanistan and the reason for that; the slaughter of 3,000 innocent people on September 11.
BLAIR YESTERDAY
The continued use of Guantanamo Bay as a detention centre outside all legal regimes diminishes the USA's moral authority and is a hindrance to the effective pursuit of the war against terrorism.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE
Iraq
Today's struggle in Iraq is the same struggle the world over: it's democracy versus terrorism and extremism. My response all the way through whenever these difficulties arise is to stand up for democracy, for liberty whether in Iraq or elsewhere and make sure the terrorists are defeated.
BLAIR YESTERDAY
Polarisation is increasing. The danger of civil war is extremely serious. There have been efforts by insurgents to start civil war for a couple of years, but they have not succeeded because of institutional restraints. Those restraints have begun to erode.
JOOST HILTERMAN, ANALYST FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies