Double Murderer Fuad Awale Awarded £7,500 Compensation for Human Rights Breaches
Fuad Awale, who is serving a life sentence for shooting two teenagers in 2011, was moved to a close supervision centre (CSC) after threatening to kill a prison officer. Subsequently, he was barred from contact with other prisoners, including one of the men involved in the killing of Fusilier Lee Rigby in Woolwich in 2013.
The High Court ruled that Awale's treatment breached Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which protects the right to private and family life. As a result, the court awarded Awale £7,500 in compensation for this human rights breach, in addition to the £234,000 in legal costs previously awarded.
The Ministry of Justice stated that the government defended the claim and the use of the Separation Centre, which it said is an essential tool to protect the public and prisoners. It emphasized the government's commitment to the ECHR but noted ongoing reviews of its application concerning national security.
Following the ruling, parliamentary discussion took place, with opposition figures criticizing the government and questioning whether the compensation would be paid from public funds. The government maintained its stance, describing the compensation amount as a modest portion of the overall settlement.
This case and the ensuing debate have transpired amid broader discussions among ECHR member states about potential reforms to the treaty, particularly regarding its application to migration and national security.
