A double murderer, Fuad Awale, has been awarded £7,500 in compensation by the High Court following a ruling that his human rights were breached. Awale is currently serving a life sentence for a 2011 shooting that resulted in the deaths of two teenagers.
Background of the Case
Following an incident where Awale assisted in taking a prison officer hostage and making threats to kill, he was transferred to a close supervision centre (CSC), a specialized unit for prisoners deemed dangerous. Subsequently, he was restricted from contact with other inmates, including an individual involved in the 2013 murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, southeast London.
Awale argued that these restrictions negatively impacted his mental health and violated his human rights. The High Court agreed, determining that his treatment breached Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which protects the right to a private and family life.
Political Fallout and Government Response
The ruling prompted debate in Parliament, with Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick questioning Justice Secretary David Lammy about potentially covering the compensation from personal funds rather than using taxpayer money. Mr. Lammy responded in a letter to Mr. Jenrick on December 29th, clarifying that the £7,500 compensation represents only a portion of the overall settlement.
Mr. Lammy stated the payment was mandated by the court after the department defended the claim, consistent with a long-standing policy of contesting litigation brought by prisoners convicted of terrorist offenses. Mr. Jenrick publicly criticized Mr. Lammy, accusing him of prioritizing the ECHR over public safety and appearing to “cow to” Awale.
The Ministry of Justice echoed Mr. Lammy’s statement, asserting the government will not be influenced by legal challenges from prisoners. They maintain that the Separation Centre is a vital tool for protecting the public and will continue to be used for dangerous individuals.
Future Implications
The government has indicated it will continue to assess whether the application of the ECHR hinders national security efforts. Weeks prior to this development, Mr. Lammy participated in meetings with ministers from other ECHR member states to discuss potential reforms to the treaty, particularly concerning migration cases and Article 8. Further discussions regarding treaty reform could occur, potentially leading to changes in how human rights claims are addressed in similar cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Fuad Awale convicted of?
Fuad Awale was convicted of shooting two teenagers in the head in 2011 and is currently serving a life sentence.
What specific right under the ECHR was found to be breached?
The High Court ruled that Awale’s treatment breached Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, his right to a private and family life.
How did Robert Jenrick respond to the compensation awarded to Awale?
Robert Jenrick accused David Lammy of putting the ECHR “above the safety of officers and the interests of the British people” and “cowing to one of the most despicable terrorists in Britain.”
Given the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between human rights and public safety, how might similar cases be handled differently in the future?
