LONDON -- Some U.S. and British politicians argue that to tackle terrorism effectively human rights must be subject to increasing limitations. In wartime Britain (1939-45), human rights were curtailed and some innocent people were locked up. The British accepted this at the time as necessary to combat threats of invasion. Today's struggle calls for different measures. It is essentially a struggle against evil ideology and is very much a matter of "hearts and minds."
If we do not uphold our democratic system and the principles of tolerance and human rights, we concede success to the terrorists. Steps to deal with terrorists should be taken with great care and be subject to constant parliamentary and judicial review.
For example, the limbo status of inmates at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, and measures such as "extraordinary rendition" have hurt the American image not only in the Middle East but elsewhere in the world.