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CagePrisoners

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25 January 2012

PRESS RELEASE: New system of TPIMs retains all the failings of Control Orders

CagePrisoners is concerned that the new system of Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIMs) appears in substance to be nothing but control orders rebranded. Apart from some minor cosmetic changes, the system is in effect virtually identical to the outgoing system of control orders.

The most basic elements of due process continue to be absent from the new TPIMs regime including the right not to be subjected to punitive sanctions, including house arrest, without ever being charged or tried for an offence. Moreover, it fails to depart from the existing and immoral policy of the reliance on secret evidence which cannot be challenged by those it is used against, described by detainees as the most difficult aspect of the orders.  

Executive Director of CagePrisoners, Asim Qureshi, said of the new measures,

“It is fitting that the government has chosen to introduce these measures on the heel of the Prime Minister’s audacious attempt to reduce the influence of the European Court of Human Rights on its questionable policies and actions. The illegality of these measures and their departure from basic human rights is so plain and obvious that one fears what measures the government would introduce if left to its own devices.”

“The sheer volume of cases that have been successfully challenged despite the use of secret evidence, proves that these measures are not required; rather, the police should investigate suspects properly and if there is evidence, charge them with a crime.”

See notes for press contact details

[ENDS]

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CagePrisoners is a human rights NGO that exists to raise awareness of the plight of the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and other detainees held as part of the War on Terror. We aim to give a voice to the voiceless. 

Give a voice to the voiceless.
 
CagePrisoners Ltd.
27 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N 3XX
 
Press contact:    (44) 207 377 6700                         
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Web:                   www.cageprisoners.com