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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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23 April 2008

Press Release: UK – IHRC welcomes courts findings that the anti-terror asset freezing orders are legally flawed

IHRC welcomes the courts findings that the anti-terror asset freezing orders are legally flawed as a means of reassessing the whole process.

IHRC also highlights that this policy criminalises and punishes innocent people without due process. Under these orders the assets of a family are placed under the complete control of the treasury with individuals having to seek permission from the treasury to access their funds and justify basic expenses such as weekly shopping.

Massoud Shadjareh, chair of IHRC said:

“We have numerous cases of peoples’ assets being taken indefinitely which not only affects those who have been accused but their families and children who are denied their sustenance and basic expenses. In most cases such individuals are not informed of why they have been placed under these orders nor are they ever charged with any wrong doing what so ever”

IHRC notes that any future procedure should take into account that no civilised society should criminalise people without due process and should not collectively punish innocent families.

For more information, please contact IHRC on (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44) 7958 522 196 or email info@ihrc.org[ENDS]
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The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

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