IT was sad to see Councillor James Hirst (Letters, September 24) joining the siren of voices recommending that we sacrifice some of our freedoms and democratic rights in the war against terrorism.

His target, the European Convention of Human Rights, was written by European governments following the defeat of Nazi tyranny in the Second World War. It was designed to preserve those freedoms that so many people had given their lives to protect. The Human Rights Act only incorporated these rights directly into British law, allowing British courts to judge cases as well as European courts.

The enemies of freedom struck again in America on September 11. Make no mistake about it, bin Laden and his al-Qaida movement hate our freedoms. They hate it that people can live their lives outside the rules set down in their narrow interpretation of Islam. They hate it that rulers are elected by democratic vote not appointed by religious fundamentalists.

Each freedom we give up for the war against terrorism is a victory for bin Laden and his followers. Each democratic right we give up will encourage those whose aim is the destruction of democracy.

Councillor Hirst is right to warn of the 'enemy within.' The enemy will have crept within all of us if we willingly sacrifice our freedom and democracy. For then we are doing bin Laden's work for him.

COUNCILLOR DAVE HOLLINGS, Sudell Road, Darwen.