Farcical for Detainee Inquiry to proceed while criminal investigations outstanding

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) today announced that criminal investigations into two individual cases of rendition to and ill-treatment in Libya will commence now rather than at the conclusion of the Detainee Inquiry due to the seriousness of the allegations.

Keith Best, Chief Executive of Freedom from Torture said:

"It would be farcical for Sir Peter Gibson to begin proceedings while criminal investigations into the Libya allegations continue, when the detainees in question have refused to participate in the Inquiry. The Metropolitan Police have also made it clear that further investigations may be launched.

On the tenth anniversary of transfers to Guantánamo Bay, the Prime Minister told parliament that the government was taking steps to "try and achieve some closure about what happened in the past". It will be impossible to achieve this closure, however, through a seriously deficient Detainee Inquiry which does not have the necessary powers to get to the truth or allow meaningful participation by victims. Last week, further human rights experts added their voices to the survivors, NGOs and lawyers who have urged the government to fix these problems before proceeding with a process woefully lacking in credibility. The government now has the time to do this while criminal investigations continue."

The DPP and MPS also announced that insufficient evidence was available to proceed with prosecutions in two cases of alleged involvement in torture by members of the British intelligence services, MI5 and MI6. Freedom from Torture is particularly concerned that the police investigation into the case of an individual held in Bagram has faced severe difficulties as they have not been able to obtain access to the detainee. All possible steps should be taken by the UK government to facilitate the availability of witnesses for these important investigations.

Keith Best said:

"As we mark ten years of human rights abuses associated with Guantanamo, the UK government should reflect on the positive impact a decisive step towards achieving accountability could have on other governments who stand accused of serious human rights violations and end the denial of justice to the victims and families who have waited so long."