Following the announcement by Prime Minister David Cameron on 6 July of an inquiry into allegations of UK involvement in the mistreatment of detainees held abroad, the AIRE Centre, Amnesty International, British Irish RIGHTS WATCH, Cageprisoners, Justice, Liberty, REDRESS, Reprieve, and the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture have submitted constructive comments to ensure the success of the inquiry.
A sufficiently empowered and transparent inquiry could discharge the UK’s duty to effectively investigate allegations of knowledge and/or involvement by state actors in the torture, ill-treatment or rendition of individuals that have arisen in the last decade, and clarify how involvement in such crimes may be prevented in the future.