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Human rights alliance demands inquiry into UK torture role

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, March 22, IRNA -- Human rights organisations and civil liberty campaigners have joined forces with MPs to demand an independent inquiry into the UK's role in torture and rendition during the so-called war on terror.

In a joint letter, Amnesty International UK, Human Rights Watch, Liberty and Reprieve together with the all-party parliamentary group on extraordinary rendition call for an inquiry to examine the role played by MI5, MI6 and UK troops, and the use of British territory and airspace.

The fresh demand comes after Prime Minister Gordon Brown delayed the publication of new guidelines for British intelligence officers dealing with the torture and abuse of detainees held abroad after they were criticised by MPs.

The open letter suggests an independent inquiry might shed light on the formulation of the policies that led to the UK becoming embroiled in torture and rendition, and the role played by ministers, without intelligence officers, police and troops facing prosecution.

"The case for an inquiry is supported by almost everybody except the government,” said chair of the all-party group, Andrew Tyrie, who listed the government's own independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, the parliamentary human rights committee, opposition leaders and experts in the field.

"Every time a new revelation emerges, it is damaging for public confidence in the Security Services and for the reputation of the UK. We must be sure that we have got to the truth in order to be able to move on,” Tyrie said.

British detectives are already investigating an MI5 security services officer and an MI6 intelligence agency officer over allegations that they colluded in torture during counter-terrorism operations.

Brown promised in March last year to have the existing guidelines rewritten and made public.

But plans were shelved last week amid concern among government lawyers and members of the intelligence and security committee (ISC) that it contained too many "ambiguities" even after it was redrafted.

ISC member Michael Mates told parliament last Thursday that the publication had been prevented "because certain people think it is embarrassing".

The British government has continually denied that a policy of complicity in torture had been in place, and insists that no wrongdoing has been covered up.

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End News / IRNA / News Code 1021890