By Gabriel Princewill-
Amnesty international has today called for a torture inquiry to be established by Prime Minister Theresa May, following criticism of the UK’s record on combating torture
In its “concluding observations” over the UK’s record, the UN’s expert Committee Against Torture has today said the UK should “establish without further delay” an inquiry into the UK’s alleged involvement in acts of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees held overseas.
It follows concerns by the Northern Ireland Committee that conflict-related torture and deaths are not being investigated, and few people are being held to account, with no redress for victims. A spokesperson for Amnesty International told The Eye Of Media.Com that the Uk must not trun a blind eye to incidences of torture that are proven and undeniable, but uphold the rule of law and pursue justice”.
Amnesty say the cases of torture are despicable and that justice for victims, including for the ‘Hooded Men’ whose case before Belfast Court of Appeal is awaiting judgement must be speedily pursued. UN experts also emphasised that the UK should “refrain from enacting legislation that would grant amnesty or pardon where torture is concerned”. A spokesperson from Amnesty today told The Eye Of Media.Com : ‘
‘The British government are failing to live up to its international obligations in relation to historic torture. The British government appear to have their priorities wrong and to misunderstand their obligations. They seems to be veering away from those obligations.The British government seems to be listening to senior members of the military who are saying an investigation will undermine their service for the Uk.
It appears that senior members of the intelligence committee don’t want those who are complicit in these allegations of torture to be prosecuted. A full transparent judge led inquiry needs to be conducted without obstruction”.
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Amnesty’s campaign comes in response to an announcement from Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, who outlined controversial Government plans that would potentially prevent prosecutions in such cases (though excluding Northern Ireland). In response, Amnesty said that “British soldiers who break the law must face it, just like everyone else”.
Last year, the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) published two damning reports into the UK’s involvement in several cases of rendition and torture. It outlined the scale of the issue , involving numerous cases where MI6 or MI5 suggested, planned or agreed to overseas rendition operations. It included more than 200 cases where they sent questions to overseas governments and interrogators knowing or suspecting that detainees were being mistreated .
The British Government has been accused of blocking access to all the necessary evidence required for a successful prosecution , thereby preventing a credible, and thorough inquiry. Amnesty wants the UK Government to allow an independent, judge-led inquiry into the issue. They say justice must not be interfered with unless the justice in the Uk is just a label
The UN Committee also highlighted the damage caused by the UK’s routine use of immigration detention without time limit, as well as the practice of the police sharing victims’ data with the Home Office – which deters migrant women suffering gender-based violence from seeking help. Amnesty is calling on the Government to ensure the Domestic Abuse Bill offers protection and support for such women.
Rachel Logan, Amnesty International UK’s Legal Programme Director, said:
“The UN has rightly criticised the UK’s increasingly worrying record over failing to deal with torture.
“From reneging on a promise to allow an independent judge-led inquiry into the UK’s involvement in the rendition scandal to proposing an amnesty for British forces overseas – the UK is failing and failing badly when it comes to torture issues.
“The UK needs to get its act together in combatting torture, including over how it treats torture survivors from overseas in this country.”
Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International UK’s Northern Ireland Campaigns Manager, said:
“In line with the UK’s international human rights obligations, those responsible for sanctioning and carrying out torture, at all levels, must be held accountable and where possible prosecuted. We call on the UK Government to ensure there are no barriers to justice for all victims of Northern Ireland’s conflict and make clear there will be no amnesty for human rights abuses, including those committed by security forces.”
The Ministry Of Defence has been contacted for comment