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Islamic Human Rights Commission

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24 May 2007

Press Release: Control Orders and Abusive System provide No Security

The Islamic Human Rights Commission reiterates its opposition to control orders. IHRC regards the regime as an affront to due process whereby innocent people are being criminally penalized without facing any charges.

IHRC notes that the current anti-terrorism legislation has been drafted so broadly as to enable the authorities to charge these men with some offence with minimal evidence. If the authorities have evidence that these men have committed a crime, they should be charged and tried in a court of law. To indefinitely imprison them in their own homes constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and undermines the rule of law.

Chairman of the IHRC, Massoud Shadjareh, stated:

“Control orders both in Britain and elsewhere, including apartheid era South Africa, have been shown to be more oppressive than harsh jail sentences. It is saddening that Britain feels it should be part of a club of such nations.”

For more information, please contact IHRC on (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44) 7958 522 196 or email info@ihrc.org [ENDS]

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org.uk