Anti-terror legislation 'abuses human rights'

In particular the use of draconian control orders should be scrapped and intrusive surveillance and stop-and-search powers urgently amended, the organisation said.

The call was made as part of Liberty's response to the government's counter-terror review.

The group said that the government's review of counter-terrorism legislation was a "once in a generation opportunity for reform" which must not be missed.

It further argued that control orders abrogate the right to a fair trial, "enabling unending restrictions on liberty on the basis of secret intelligence and suspicion rather than charges, evidence and proof."

Liberty has also called for the overhaul of section 44 stop and searches and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act surveillance powers, a reduction in pre-charge detention for terror suspects.

The government must also respect international law with regard to torture in its deportation policy.

Liberty director of policy Isabella Sankey said: "After years of fighting unjust and counterproductive postures, Liberty welcomes this new opportunity for reflection and correction in security policy. Un-British scandals like punishment without charge and blanket erosion of privacy must now be replaced with effective targeted surveillance and prosecution within the law."

The organisation also highlighted the case of two independent film-makers Fred Grace and Gemma Atkinson who are facing potential contempt of court proceedings for interviewing a terror suspect who was under bail conditions.

Mr Grace and Ms Atkinson made a documentary about Hussain Saleh Hussain Alsamamara - a Jordanian who was arrested by police in 2004. His bail immigration conditions include a severe curfew, electronic tagging, no access to the internet and restrictions on his use of communication equipment.

Liberty legal director James Welch said: "The war on terror has been synonymous with sweeping up the innocent with the guilty and undermining the values that democrats hold dear.

"Fred and Gemma are film-makers facing punishment for doing their job in a free society. I feel certain that the new law officers will not let this continue."

Announcing the review last month, Home Secretary Theresa May pledged to correct "mistakes" made by the Labour government which, she said, was allowed to "ride roughshod" over civil liberties.