Europe in fresh attack on Britain's terror laws

For the second time in as many days Britain stands accused of flouting international human rights law over its treatment of foreign terror suspects rounded up after the 11 September attacks in America.

For the second time in as many days Britain stands accused of flouting international human rights law over its treatment of foreign terror suspects rounded up after the 11 September attacks in America.

A report by Europe's prevention of torture committee said the conditions of the imprisonment of 14 men held without trial for three years was inhuman and degrading.

The finding comes a day after the Government's human rights record was condemned in a report by another committee of the Council of Europe which criticised the use of control orders against terror suspects.

In the latest report, first handed to ministers in July last year, grave concerns are raised about the conditions of the detention of suspects under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. The men were detained at Belmarsh prison in south-east London and Woodhill jail in Buckinghamshire, before being released in March this year under strict control orders personally authorised by the Home Secretary.