December 4341Detention-without-trial extended indefinitelyFollowing continued Onglian Liberation Army (OLA) violence, including the recent assassination of Agriculture Minister Alban Fowler, Parliament has voted to extend detention-without-trial indefinitely. Detention-without-trial was introduced as an emergency measure during the OLA uprising in Central Province, and was originally expected to be phased out in the aftermath of the conflict.
The vote to extend detention-without-trial indefinitely was won by 67 to 25. Charles Panshawe and other liberal faction MPs campaigned strongly against the bill and tried to delay it as much as possible, holding it up at committee stage and engaging in filibuster tactics on the floor of the chamber, but there was never any serious risk of the government being defeated.
Avery Wulvedon, the Internal Affairs Minister, said the measures were "unfortunate, but fully justified", arguing "liberty is important, but we will have no liberty left to defend if those who wish to destroy us are allowed to succeed". Lord Protector Rafe Shevington echoed this message, also adding that "the New Englian Constabulary are the finest, most honourable, most honest, most courageous police force on the face of Terra, and we have every reason to trust them - we cannot force them to fight a war against terrorism with one hand tied behind their backs".
New detention centres have sprung up all across the country, and the number of OLA and suspected OLA prisoners is estimated at over 20,000. At least 10,000 of those are being detained without trial, having never been convicted of an offence.
The Onglian Civil Rights Association has accused the government of "creating a police state and engendering a climate of fear".
Draddwyr village to be flooded to build reservoir for Inglian city For years, the growing, mainly Inglian city of Arrowhead in Englia Province has been struggling to meet its water supply needs, meaning there have often been unpopular hosepipe bans and other such restrictions imposed during the hot summer months. The city council's favoured solution has long been to create a reservoir by flooding the nearby Senglia Valley. There is just one problem with that, though: the Senglia Valley is home to Tri Mohon, a Draddwyr village of about 400 people, which includes Gorffwysfeydd, an ancient Draddwyr pagan shrine and resting place for the dead. For reasons of cultural sensitivity, governments have previously refused to give the go-ahead to construct the reservoir, but now, it seems, they have suddenly changed their mind.
Appearing at a press conference with Lord Protector Rafe Shevington, Arrowhead Mayor Josias Child announced he understood "the concerns about Tri Mohon and Gorffwysfeydd" but argued "Tri Mohon is a dying village with a declining population, whereas Arrowhead is a growing, bustling city - we have got to look to the future here, and do what is best for the population as a whole". He also promised that all of the residents of Tri Mohon would be offered alternative accommodation in the form of low-rent council housing in Arrowhead.
Tri Mohon villagers are furious at the proposed move, and many have vowed to remain in their homes until they are evicted by force. Rhona Buell, the chairwoman of the Tri Mohon Residents Association, has said:
Tri Mohon is special, very special - it has been here for as long as anyone knows. Gorffwysfeydd, our ancient shrine and resting place for our dead, dates back to pre-history and is is an invaluable part of Draddwyr heritage and culture. The Inglian City Council and the Inglian national government need to understand that what we have here in Tri Mohon - the combination of the people, the places, the history - is irreplaceable. Once it's been demolished it will be gone forever. But we won't stand for it. We will fight for our rights every step of the way.
The Tri Mohon Residents Association and the Onglian Civil Rights Association are working closely together in their campaign to block the proposal. They have already contacted the governments of two Draddwyr countries, Aloria and North Dovani, in the hope that they will take up their cause.