Publications

This report was compiled by REDRESS, which provides the Secretariat to the Group. This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the Group.

This report sought the views of UK-based survivors of torture and their family members in the UK on what justice meant to them in practice, why it was important, and what were their key barriers to achieving justice within the UK. Four professionals who work with survivors of torture in the UK were also interviewed. The report further sought their views on the existing five forms of reparation in relation to torture under international law: restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, and guarantees of non-repetition. The report confirms that UK-based torture survivors are not a homogeneous group, and their views on the meaning and importance of justice can differ significantly. It confirms previous findings of research undertaken on this issue, including by REDRESS in 2001, 2004 and 2009. The report has a foreword by Juan E Méndez, former UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment and a survivor of torture.

This briefing paper outlines eight recommendations to the UK government on confiscating frozen Russian assets and repurposing them for victims in Ukraine.

This briefing paper, jointly prepared by REDRESS, the Sudan Human Rights Monitor (SHRM), and the SOAS Centre for Human Rights Law, is based on 35 interviews conducted by SHRM in Khartoum, Sudan, and provides first-hand evidence of the nature and consequences of ongoing human rights violations for direct and indirect victims and the wider community. The findings document what has become a centrally planned and systematically implemented assault on the young and the future of Sudan. It has already taken an immense physical and psychological toll on the immediate victims, their friends, families, and whole communities. Notably, some of them have lodged complaints and pursued legal remedies. However, the lack of responsiveness of the authorities, and indeed ongoing commission of serious violations, demonstrates the complete lack of justice and accountability in Sudan.

This research paper from REDRESS and the SOAS Centre for Human Rights Law situates Sudan’s current political and human rights crisis within the broader historical context, demonstrating that the cyclical nature of Sudan’s post-independence, post-coup politics is closely linked to the absence of respect for the rule of law, human rights protections, and justice for past violations.

Reflecting on REDRESS’ work on the Nazanin’s case, REDRESS has submitted evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee inquiry into the handling of state level hostage situations. The submission focuses on diplomatic protection, hostage recognition, torture, Magnitsky sanctions and consular protection.

In this letter, REDRESS requests the UK government to engage civil society including victim and survivor groups on the repurposing of £2.5 billion ('the funds') following Roman Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea Football Club. It is reported that the funds will be forfeited to the UK government and earmarked for a charitable foundation to aid victims of the war in Ukraine. This presents a unique opportunity for the UK to have a profound impact on the lives of victims, ensuring their right to reparations is upheld. It will position the UK as a world leader on the repurposing of Russian assets to support victims. 

This briefing paper was written by TRIAL International in partnership with the Open Society Justice Initiative and REDRESS. It provides an overview of the national legal framework of England and Wales on universal jurisdiction, including statutory and case law, and its application in practice. It intends to contribute to a better understanding of domestic justice systems among legal practitioners who operate in the field of universal jurisdiction, to support the development of litigation strategies. It forms part of a series of briefing papers on selected countries.