Human rights groups and lawyers withdraw from flawed torture inquiry

Ten human rights organisations, including Freedom from Torture, have informed the 'Detainee Inquiry', set up to investigate allegations of UK complicity in the mistreatment of detainees overseas, that they will not be participating in the Inquiry because it does not have the "credibility or transparency" to establish the truth, with much of the proceedings to be held behind closed doors.

In a letter to the inquiry, the groups criticised the planned process as not allowing for the meaningful participation of survivors, lacking the necessary transparency - with the government reserving the final say on what material will be made public for itself - and failing to comply with relevant human rights standards.

A representative for the groups told the Today programme that the process is entirely compromised by its rules of engagement and is "riddled with secrecy".

Lawyers acting for the former detainees whose cases are to be examined have also informed the Inquiry that they believe the Terms of Reference and protocol for the Inquiry, published last month, fall short of providing for the essential ingredients for a public inquiry: "What is proposed is a 'Detainee Inquiry' in which there will be no constructive participation by the detainees."

Both the human rights groups and lawyers acting for the survivors have sought to engage with the Inquiry to influence an effective and transparent process with meaningful participation by survivors, since David Cameron announced the formation of the process to be chaired by Sir Peter Gibson last year. They now say, however, that they are left with no choice but to withdraw.