Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Miliband condemns war on terror as 'mistaken'

Ap
Thursday 15 January 2009 07:37 EST
Comments
(GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband strongly criticised the US-led war on terror today as he called for the international community to respond to future attacks by "championing the rule of law, not subordinating it."

Miliband also called for the shuttering of the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay and the launch of new era of "democratic opportunity rather than fear and oppression."

Miliband's speech in Mumbai — the site of a November terror attack that left 164 dead — was among the first public remarks from a senior British official in criticism of how the battle against terrorism has been conducted since 2001. Miliband wrote an editorial published today in the Guardian that made a similar argument.

Britain's government hasn't used the phrase "war on terror" since 2006 because Miliband said "the notion is misleading and mistaken."

"Historians will judge whether it has done more harm than good. But we need to move on to meet the challenges we face," he said.

"Democracies must respond to terrorism by championing the rule of law, not subordinating it," he added.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in