Asbos and Control Orders : Two Recurring Themes, Two Apparent Contradictions

When the Government first proposed the creation of the Control Order, many commented on its apparent similarity with the Anti-Social Behaviour Order. Looking beyond the obvious similarities, the aim of this paper is to draw out two deeper themes which marked the development of both remedies. For each theme an apparent contradiction will also be identified. The paper concludes by arguing that these two recurring themes and two apparent contradictions cast doubt upon New Labour's professed commitment to nurturing a culture of human rights