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CONTROL ORDERS
- Control orders enable the Home Secretary to impose an unlimited range of restrictions on any person he suspects of involvement in terrorism.
They were created by the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 ('PTA'), in response to the House of Lord’s ruling against the detention powers in Part IV of the Anti-terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001.
The restrictions imposed by control orders amount to house arrest. They include controls on who a person can meet with or speak to; as well restrictions on when a person can leave their house and where they can go.
They have undermined the rights and freedoms of not only the men subject to them but also their families.
Control orders undermine the presumption of innocence - allowing Ministers to punish someone without requiring them to prove that they have committed any crime.
They undermine the separation of powers and the right to a fair trial - the decision to impose a control order is made by the Home Secretary and is based on secret evidence which the individual concerned is unable to see and powerless to dispute. Press Releases
Useless and unjust control orders must be voted out, says Liberty
- Parliament vote to renew control order powers tomorrow Parliament must seize the opportunity to shut down the useless and unjust control orders regime by voting against the renewal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act urged human rights group Liberty.
- 21.02.2007
Government failed to consider criminal prosecution against control order terror suspect says High Court
- The High Court today criticised the Government for failing to consider a criminal prosecution for a terror suspect who had been deemed dangerous enough to be issued with a control order.
- 16.02.2007
Government told to lift “house arrest” restrictions on control orders
- In two decisions which will most likely be appealed to the House of Lords, the Court of Appeal today found that control orders deny an individual’s right to liberty but not his right to a fair trial.
- 01.08.2006
High Court quashes control orders in six cases
- The High Court today ruled that Control Orders are incompatible with the right to liberty enshrined in human rights law, and quashed the orders for six suspects.
- 28.06.2006
High Court rules Control Orders incompatible with human rights laws
- In a judgment which threatens the future of the Government’s anti-terror Control Order scheme, the High Court today ruled that Control Orders are incompatible with the right to a fair trial enshrined in human rights law.
- 12.04.2006
Renewal of Control Order Legislation |
We sent an email to over 500 MPs, urging them to vote against the renewal of control order legislation. The vote takes place on Thursday 22 February. |
Liberty's email to MPs |
More Information
- 3 page introduction, including the different types of order and how the scheme is supposed to work. March 05, PDF
Policy Briefings
- On the renewal of the PTA 2005. Feb 06 PDF
- By the solicitor for the former ATCSA detainees now subject to control orders. PDF
- This short briefing was for the final stages of the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, before it became law. March 05 PDF
- This briefing on the Prevention of Terrorism Bill details our main concerns with control orders. March 05 PDF
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