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The Government is proposing a ‘control order-lite’ still outside of the criminal justice system – potentially punishing the innocent while the truly dangerous may remain at large in the community.

Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, said:

“Punishment without trial was wrong when both parties in the Coalition opposed it and unsurprisingly, it is still wrong now. In its current form, this Bill would still allow the innocent to be punished in secret kangaroo courts while the dangerous continue to roam amongst us. Politicians seem exercised about open justice at the moment. No doubt they will end this counterproductive farce.”

The new rebadged system will still include electronic tagging and a residence requirement.  Controlees will not be able to meet with certain people or go to certain buildings – although it may be easier for them to use the internet.  The control orders will be limited to two years and can be renewed.  Crucially, the orders will still be initiated by the Home Secretary – and the regime will continue to run outside the criminal justice system of investigation, arrest, charge and conviction. Both Coalition partners opposed control orders when in opposition.

Contact: Liberty press office on 020 7378 3656 or 07973 831128

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Liberty’s most recent briefing on control orders can be found here http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/pdfs/policy11/liberty-s-briefing-on-the-pta-continuance-order-2011-feb-2011-.pdf

2. In January 2011 Liberty released polling that revealed that the public prefer surveillance of terror suspects to gather evidence for prosecution rather than the control order regime. 

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 1,952 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 4th - 5th January 2011.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).  Those polled were asked:

Which of the following is a better way of dealing with people suspected of terrorism, when they have not been arrested or charged?

- Restricting where suspects can go and who they can meet, electronically tagging them and banning them from using telephones and the internet – 40%

- NOT imposing such restrictions, but instead placing them under intensive surveillance and monitoring their communication, in order to gather evidence with which to prosecute them - 46%

- Don’t  know – 14%