"Human rights are not a pick and mix assortment of luxury entitlements but the very foundations of democratic societies" warns the Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner today.

Alvaro Gil-Robles' report into the state of Human Rights in the UK is sober reading in relation to a number of flagship Government policies - in particular Control Orders (under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005) and aspects of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders; described as "ASBO-mania".

Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty said:

"This important report from a respected international human rights' watchdog must be taken extremely seriously by anyone who values democracy or Britain's reputation in the world.

It is a serious wake up call to politicians who have rubbished notions of fairness and basic human dignity for too long. There should be a full parliamentary debate into all the key recommendations."

Liberty Press Office: 020 7378 3656 or 07973 831 128

Notes to Editors

Key quotes from Mr Gil-Robles:
1. On the Government’s Control Orders: “Quite apart from the obvious flouting of the presumption of innocence, the review proceedings described can only be considered to be fair, independent and impartial with some difficulty” (Page 10).

2. On the use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders: “It is difficult to avoid the impression that the ASBO is being touted as a miracle cure for urban nuisance”. “It is to be hoped that this burst of ASBO-mania will quieten down, and that its use in time will be limited to appropriate and serious cases, where no other means of intervention might succeed. Responsible guidelines and realistic rhetoric is required, however, for this to happen” (Page 35).

Key aspects of the report:
1. The Commissioner finds that at least some control orders will constitute criminal punishment without trial and is severely critical of the admissibility of material gained by torture in relation to anti-terror policy.

2. He is very worried about the broad definition of anti-social behaviour, inappropriate ASBOs and especially the naming and shaming of children.

3. He welcomed both the existence of the human rights act and proposals for the Commission for Equality and Human Rights

4. There is criticism of aspects of the Government's asylum policy- in particular- forced destitution of asylum seekers and long-term detention (especially in relation to children).

5. Other criticisms relate to prison conditions and juvenile justice and the state of human rights in both Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The Council of Europe
• Alvaro Gil-Robles is the first Human Rights Commissioner for the Council of Europe. In the six year term of Office the Commissioner produces reports on each Government within the Council of Europe.

• The Commissioner has produced a report on the Human Rights situation in Russia. In May 2005 Gil-Robles visited Russia and received an assurance from President Putin that the reports recommendations would be carried out.
• The Council of Europe is the continent's oldest political organisation, founded in 1949. It groups together 46 countries, including 21 countries from Central and Eastern Europe.

46 MEMBER STATES
Albania (13.07.1995)
Andorra (10.11.1994)
Armenia (25.01.2001)
Austria (16.04.1956)
Azerbaijan (25.01.2001)
Belgium (05.05.1949)
Bosnia & Herzegovina (24.04.2002)
Bulgaria (07.05.1992)
Croatia (06.11.1996)
Cyprus (24.05.1961)
Czech Republic (30.06.1993)
Denmark (05.05.1949)
Estonia (14.05.1993)
Finland (05.05.1989)
France (05.05.1949)
Georgia (27.04.1999)
Germany (13.07.1950)
Greece (09.08.1949)
Hungary (06.11.1990)
Iceland (07.03.1950)
Ireland (05.05.1949)
Italy (05.05.1949)
Latvia (10.02.1995)
Liechtenstein (23.11.1978)
Lithuania (14.05.1993)
Luxembourg (05.05.1949)
Malta (29.04.1965)
Moldova (13.07.1995)
Monaco (05.10.2004)
Netherlands (05.05.1949)
Norway (05.05.1949)
Poland (26.11.1991)
Portugal (22.09.1976)
Romania (07.10.1993)
Russian Federation (28.02.1996)
San Marino (16.11.1988)
Serbia and Montenegro (03.04.2003)
Slovakia (30.06.1993)
Slovenia (14.05.1993)
Spain (24.11.1977)
Sweden (05.05.1949)
Switzerland (06.05.1963)
The former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia (09.11.1995)
Turkey (09.08.1949)
Ukraine (09.11.1995)
United Kingdom (05.05.1949)