UK: Quashing of control orders welcomed

Amnesty International today (28 June) reacted to Mr Justice Sullivan’s decision at the High Court to quash Control Orders against six men because they were “incompatible" with Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Amnesty International UK Campaigns Director Tim Hancock said:

“We have said from the outset that Control Orders were in defiance of human rights and the rule of law. Today has shown once again that the government cannot ride roughshod over people’s fundamental rights to liberty and to a fair trial.

“The Home Secretary does not have the power to deprive people of their liberty without charge or trial. Today the courts have stated that Control Orders are a form of unlawful detention that cannot be allowed.

“If people are suspected of having committed a crime, they should be charged and put on trial – not arbitrarily detained. We will continue to press for the repeal of legislation which enables a politician effectively to charge, try and sentence a suspect.”