UK to pay millions in compensation to former Guantanamo detainees
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, Nov 16, IRNA -- The UK government it to pay out millions of pounds in compensation to former Guantánamo Bay detainees to prevent the exposure of thousands of incriminating documents on such illegal acts at US renditions, it was reported Tuesday.
The payment are to around a dozen British nationals and residents including those who have accused British security forces of colluding in their torture overseas before being sent to Guantanamo.
According to ITN News, the high court has been notified that a settlement had been reached between the lawyers after lengthy legal proceedings although the exact amounts of compensation are unlikely to be revealed.
A ministerial statement on the out-of-court settlement was also expected to be made to parliament that it is in national interests to protect the British intelligence services and methods of operations.
The decision to avoid further legal action comes after the Court of Appeal ruled in May that the government was unable to rely on 'secret evidence' to defend itself against the cases brought by six former Guantanamo detainees.
By July, the High Court ordered the release of some of the 500,000 documents relating to the cases and led to Prime Minister David Cameron announcing a wide-ranging inquiry over alleged British complicity in torture.
Liberty civil rights group has welcomed the decision as a government admission that torture can be never justified and is prepared to learn lessons.
'It's not very palatable but there is a price to be paid for lawlessness and torture in freedom's name. There are torture victims who were entitled to expect protection from their country,” said Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
