Report by Aisha Maniar
On a hot Saturday afternoon at the end of June, as the British media and government sought to use British troops as a weapon on the home front to defend their senseless warmongering in faraway lands on Armed Forces Day, the London Guantánamo Campaign took a stand against the indefensible and marked a far more poignant anniversary with a demonstration in solidarity with victims of extraordinary rendition outside the US Embassy in Mayfair on UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
To mark this day, and to show solidarity with victims of a particularly pernicious facet of torture in our times – extraordinary rendition - the London Guantánamo Campaign (LGC) held a demonstration outside the US Embassy in Mayfair, London, on the afternoon of Saturday 26 June. The LGC is calling on the American government to outlaw its extraordinary rendition programme and on governments all around the world to end the use of torture. Around 70 people attended. Led by David Harrold from the LGC, he stated that “freedom, justice and peace in the world” were some of the founding principles of the United Nations, of which we see little around us these days. Demonstrators had come together on this day to mark and expose the continuing horror of the “disappearances” of prisoners and the use of enhanced interrogation techniques by the US. The abuse meted out is not visible as it has been driven down into the black hole of places like Bagram and other illegal prisons. The US wants information about extraordinary rendition to be kept in the dark but it is up to activists and concerned individuals to “shine a light” on the broken promises, laws and lies of the Obama administration, in the words of the American NGO Witness Against Torture. Mr. Harrold also emphasised the human factor and the personal suffering involved.
Picking up on this last point, Joy Hurcombe from Brighton Against Guantánamo and the Save Shaker Aamer Campaign spoke about the case of Shaker Aamer, a Saudi national with a British family in south London, who was rendered to Guantánamo Bay, where he has been held without charge or trial for the past eight and a half years. She said that the world had changed on 9/11 – for those who were victims of the extralegal processes that ensued. Men like Mr. Aamer were kidnapped, sold for a bounty and tortured before being rendered elsewhere. Shaker Aamer was kidnapped by the Northern Alliance, sold to the US military, tortured at Kandahar before being rendered on to Guantánamo Bay. He has also been beaten and abused at Guantánamo Bay, particularly for standing up for prisoners and their rights. He was held in solitary confinement for years. The British government must act to bring him home. Doctors and lawyers are also guilty for what has happened at Guantánamo Bay and elsewhere. Those responsible must be held accountable. We must speak for those who have no voice.
Ilyas Townsend from the Justice For Aafia Coalition then spoke about the case of Pakistani-American scientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui who “disappeared” along with three of her children in 2003. She resurfaced a couple of years ago in Afghanistan, however one of her children is still “disappeared”. She is currently awaiting sentencing after allegedly attacking US army officers with a gun. Dr. Aafia Siddiqui claims that during the years of her “disappearance” she was held at Bagram where she was tortured and abused physically and sexually. Mr. Townsend stated that Dr. Siddiqui’s case is a clear case of the outsourcing of torture and that she is only guilty of being innocent; those guilty of her abuse and torture over the past seven years are still free. By presenting victims like Dr. Siddiqui as the wrongful parties, there is an attempt to legitimise the use of torture. He reiterated Joy Hurcombe’s point that people must speak out and raise awareness about these issues.
Nicki Jamieson from Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! focused on the UK’s role in extraordinary rendition and the need to tackle impunity. Members of the previous government who were knowingly involved in complicity in torture need to be brought to justice and put on trial for their role in extraordinary rendition and breaking international law. There is an urgent need for an inquiry and bringing people to account for their involvement in torture, both in the UK and elsewhere.
John Clossick spoke on behalf of the Stop The War Coalition and emphasised the role of US policy abroad under the so-called “war on terror” to enforce its hegemony over different parts of the world and spoke about Shaker Aamer. He hoped that the new government would take measures to end the use of torture, renditions and would bring Shaker Aamer back to his family and community in South London.
The only politician to join the demonstrators was Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford, who has worked on the issue for over 8 years now and had helped to set up a committee on CIA renditions in the European Parliament. She stated her commitment to continuing to push for an inquiry as “there were British fingerprints all over extraordinary rendition”. She stated that is unfortunate that the kidnapping, “disappearance”, torture and detention without trial still continue. It is also regrettable that Guantánamo Bay and places like Bagram are still open. As well as providing no solution and constituting breaches of domestic and international law, such policies create alienation and injustice. Baroness Ludford expressed particular solidarity with Shaker Aamer and condemned the dishonesty of the last government which claimed not to practice torture but condoned and supported its use elsewhere. She also mentioned the case of the Canadian Maher Arar, who was compensated by his government for its involvement in his rendition and torture, yet the damage done to him and his family is priceless; Mr. Arar had given a testimony to the European Parliament committee on renditions. She also called for dialogue, which is important to end violence, similar to the dialogue the British government started with the IRA, indirectly through Sinn Fein. She also pointed out other human rights abuses under the current US regime such as the military tribunals to be held at Guantánamo Bay and extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan. Baroness Ludford stated that she would continue to oppose these injustices and stated her party’s commitment to human rights and civil liberties in the UK and abroad.
The final speaker was Doreen Brown, speaking on behalf of the Quakers and Action by Christians Against Torture, who expressed solidarity with torture victims of all faiths. She mentioned that Quakers too had been persecuted and tortured for their beliefs in the past. With respect to the British government, Mrs. Brown stated that while the government claims to uphold human rights, it is known to be involved in cruel, degrading and inhumane treatment all over the world, affecting not only hundreds but thousands of people. She also spoke about the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
The demonstration ended with a minute’s silence and some chanting. Signatures were collected on petitions and letters for various prisoners.
--------------------
26 June 1987 is the date on which, following ratification by enough countries, that the UN Convention Against Torture became international law. Torture was already banned under international law. In 1998 the UN General Assembly, in honour of the Convention, selected this date (26 June) as International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Commenting on the significance of this anniversary, the then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said at the time, “This is a day on which we pay our respects to those who have endured the unimaginable. This is an occasion for the world to speak up against the unspeakable. It is long overdue that a day be dedicated to remembering and supporting the many victims and survivors of torture around the world.”
Twenty three years later, the world is no closer to preventing torture and instead since 2001, under the pretext of the so-called “war on terror”, its use and complicity in its use has proliferated. Passed as a law by the Clinton administration in 1995 to “render” individuals wanted by the US to justice, the use of “extraordinary rendition” increased after 9/11. It involves the extra-judicial transfer of individuals from one country to another and involves kidnapping, “disappearance”, torture and arbitrary detention. When Obama passed his now broken promise to close Guantánamo Bay within a year almost 18 months ago, he did not promise to outlaw extraordinary rendition. Earlier this month the US Supreme Court rejected a case brought by Canadian-Syrian citizen Maher Arar concerning his extraordinary rendition to Syria where he was held illegally and tortured for over a year.
“Extraordinary rendition” has led to the creation of what the Council of Europe called a “global spider’s web” of secret detention and torture facilities around the world. While EU states such as Poland, Lithuania and Romania have been alleged, and in the case of Lithuania admitted, to be hosts of such facilities, nearly all states are responsible for facilitating the use of air space and airports for the refueling and passage of rendition flights. It is alleged that some 400 CIA rendition flights may have passed through and refueled in the UK alone. The actual number of victims and sites involved is unknown. All the prisoners held at, in the past or present at Guantánamo Bay have been victims of extraordinary rendition and while the US administration slowly seeks to Guantánamo Bay, the detention facility at Bagram, Afghanistan, continues to grow.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Press Release: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: Demonstration in Solidarity With Victims of Extraordinary Rendition – 26 June, 2-4p
To mark the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (26 June each year), the London Guantánamo Campaign will hold a demonstration outside the US Embassy in London in solidarity with victims of the CIA-run extraordinary rendition programme at 2-4pm this Saturday.
Talks will be given by various speakers on the issue, including Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford, Yvonne Ridley, journalist, and John Clossick from the Stop The War Coalition among others.
In recent weeks, Foreign Minister William Hague has stated that the government will hold an inquiry into Britain’s involvement in extraordinary rendition and torture, which has been welcomed by the Council of Europe in particular. At the same time, the Baha Moussa inquiry has revealed that hooding, a technique constituting inhumane and degrading treatment banned almost forty years ago, was practiced recently by British soldiers in Iraq. More worryingly is the insistence in Britain's foreign policy for some years now on the outsourcing of torture, akin to the practice of extraordinary rendition, through the signing of memoranda of understanding on the deportation of terrorism suspects with states known to openly torture and persecute political opponents.
Aisha Maniar from the London Guantánamo Campaign says, “Torture, arbitrary detention and “disappearances”, all elements of extraordinary rendition, destroy the lives of individuals, their families and communities. The United States must put an end to its extraordinary rendition programme and more must be done by all governments to reassert their commitment to the Convention Against Torture and other international human rights law. Governments such as the US and UK must openly prove that they do not torture and do not condone the practice of torture by others. All persons, without exceptions, must be afforded the basic right to protection by the law, including the right to a fair trial and lawful interrogation. It is unfortunate that in 2010 we still need to demand such basic rights from our democratically-elected governments”.
Notes to editors:
Extraordinary rendition is an extralegal practice introduced by Bill Clinton’s administration in 1995 whereby individuals are seized in one country and transferred to imprisonment in a third country where many have alleged, and in some cases proved, to have been tortured. As well as alleged direct complicity in torture and hosting of illegal detention facilities, many countries have colluded in the process by allowing so-called torture flights to refuel or pass through their territories. Many thousands of individuals from all over the world are thought to have been subject to the programme.
On 26 June 1987, the United Nations Convention Against Torture took effect and the General Assembly selected this date as International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Commenting on the significance of this date, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in 1998, "This is a day on which we pay our respects to those who have endured the unimaginable. This is an occasion for the world to speak up against the unspeakable. It is long overdue that a day be dedicated to remembering and supporting the many victims and survivors of torture around the world."[1]
The London Guantánamo Campaign campaigns for justice for all prisoners at Guantánamo bay, for the closure of this and other secret prisons, and an end to the practice of extraordinary rendition.
For more details, please call Aisha on 07809 757 176 or e-mail london.gtmo@gmail.com
London Guantánamo Campaign
25 June 2010
[1] http://www.un.org/events/torture/
Talks will be given by various speakers on the issue, including Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford, Yvonne Ridley, journalist, and John Clossick from the Stop The War Coalition among others.
In recent weeks, Foreign Minister William Hague has stated that the government will hold an inquiry into Britain’s involvement in extraordinary rendition and torture, which has been welcomed by the Council of Europe in particular. At the same time, the Baha Moussa inquiry has revealed that hooding, a technique constituting inhumane and degrading treatment banned almost forty years ago, was practiced recently by British soldiers in Iraq. More worryingly is the insistence in Britain's foreign policy for some years now on the outsourcing of torture, akin to the practice of extraordinary rendition, through the signing of memoranda of understanding on the deportation of terrorism suspects with states known to openly torture and persecute political opponents.
Aisha Maniar from the London Guantánamo Campaign says, “Torture, arbitrary detention and “disappearances”, all elements of extraordinary rendition, destroy the lives of individuals, their families and communities. The United States must put an end to its extraordinary rendition programme and more must be done by all governments to reassert their commitment to the Convention Against Torture and other international human rights law. Governments such as the US and UK must openly prove that they do not torture and do not condone the practice of torture by others. All persons, without exceptions, must be afforded the basic right to protection by the law, including the right to a fair trial and lawful interrogation. It is unfortunate that in 2010 we still need to demand such basic rights from our democratically-elected governments”.
Notes to editors:
Extraordinary rendition is an extralegal practice introduced by Bill Clinton’s administration in 1995 whereby individuals are seized in one country and transferred to imprisonment in a third country where many have alleged, and in some cases proved, to have been tortured. As well as alleged direct complicity in torture and hosting of illegal detention facilities, many countries have colluded in the process by allowing so-called torture flights to refuel or pass through their territories. Many thousands of individuals from all over the world are thought to have been subject to the programme.
On 26 June 1987, the United Nations Convention Against Torture took effect and the General Assembly selected this date as International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Commenting on the significance of this date, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in 1998, "This is a day on which we pay our respects to those who have endured the unimaginable. This is an occasion for the world to speak up against the unspeakable. It is long overdue that a day be dedicated to remembering and supporting the many victims and survivors of torture around the world."[1]
The London Guantánamo Campaign campaigns for justice for all prisoners at Guantánamo bay, for the closure of this and other secret prisons, and an end to the practice of extraordinary rendition.
For more details, please call Aisha on 07809 757 176 or e-mail london.gtmo@gmail.com
London Guantánamo Campaign
25 June 2010
[1] http://www.un.org/events/torture/
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Amnesty International: Take Action for Mohamed Al-Odaini (by 25 June)
On 26 May a US federal judge ordered the US administration to "take all necessary and appropriate diplomatic steps" to arrange the release of Mohammed al-Odaini. The US administration has until this Friday, 25 June 2010 to respond - it is not yet known whether they will appeal this order.
AIUSA have launched an online action targetting the US authorities on this case, which I hope you will all participate in as soon as possible. The link is here: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=14435&ICID=T1006A02&tr=y&auid=6518182
If you or your group has a website it would be great if you could publixize the action.
Last week there was a strong article and editorial in the Washington Post about the case - see links. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/18/AR2010061803531.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/15/AR2010061504385.html
Information courtesy of Amnesty International
AIUSA have launched an online action targetting the US authorities on this case, which I hope you will all participate in as soon as possible. The link is here: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=14435&ICID=T1006A02&tr=y&auid=6518182
If you or your group has a website it would be great if you could publixize the action.
Last week there was a strong article and editorial in the Washington Post about the case - see links. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/18/AR2010061803531.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/15/AR2010061504385.html
Information courtesy of Amnesty International
Thursday, June 10, 2010
26 June:Demonstration in Solidarity with Victims of Extraordinary Rendition
On International Day in Support of Victims of Torture,
the London Guantánamo Campaign invites you to
A DEMONSTRATION IN SOLIDARITY WITH VICTIMS OF EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION
Date: Saturday 26 June 2010
Time: 2-4pm
Venue: outside the US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE (nearest tube: Bond Street/Marble Arch)
Speakers include: Yvonne Ridley, Journalist
Ilyas Townsend, Justice for Aafia Coalition
Joy Hurcombe, Brighton Against Guantanamo
John Clossick, Stop The War Coalition
Speakers from the Save Shaker Aamer Campaign, Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers and others (TBC)
Torture. Kidnap. Waterboarding. “Disappearances”. Sensory deprivation. Simulated live burial. "Ghost" prisoners …all in a day’s work for the CIA’s extraordinary rendition programme. An international “spider’s web” of illegal torture facilities has sprung up over the past decade with the collusion of the international community. Estimates of the number of victims range from 40,000 to over 200,000. President Obama has not promised to put an end to the practice of extraordinary rendition. Prisons such as Bagram continue to grow in size and stories of torture and abuse, including those involving the British security services, continue to emerge. This illegal practice and international complicity in it must end. No to torture and enforced “disappearance”. Yes to justice and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Organised by the London Guantánamo Campaign
For more details, please e-mail: london.gtmo@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126289070738293
the London Guantánamo Campaign invites you to
A DEMONSTRATION IN SOLIDARITY WITH VICTIMS OF EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION
Date: Saturday 26 June 2010
Time: 2-4pm
Venue: outside the US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE (nearest tube: Bond Street/Marble Arch)
Speakers include: Yvonne Ridley, Journalist
Ilyas Townsend, Justice for Aafia Coalition
Joy Hurcombe, Brighton Against Guantanamo
John Clossick, Stop The War Coalition
Speakers from the Save Shaker Aamer Campaign, Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers and others (TBC)
Torture. Kidnap. Waterboarding. “Disappearances”. Sensory deprivation. Simulated live burial. "Ghost" prisoners …all in a day’s work for the CIA’s extraordinary rendition programme. An international “spider’s web” of illegal torture facilities has sprung up over the past decade with the collusion of the international community. Estimates of the number of victims range from 40,000 to over 200,000. President Obama has not promised to put an end to the practice of extraordinary rendition. Prisons such as Bagram continue to grow in size and stories of torture and abuse, including those involving the British security services, continue to emerge. This illegal practice and international complicity in it must end. No to torture and enforced “disappearance”. Yes to justice and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Organised by the London Guantánamo Campaign
For more details, please e-mail: london.gtmo@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126289070738293
Monday, May 31, 2010
LGC May 2010 Newsletter
NEWS:
British Residents:
On 4 May, a Court of Appeal ruling overturned a decision, made in November last year, to allow the government to have a compensation claim brought by 6 ex-prisoners heard mainly in secret. This would mean that the men and their lawyers would not have access to information concerning the security services’ involvement in their torture and abuse abroad. The case, to seek damages for the British government’s awareness of and involvement in the men’s torture and illegal detention abroad and to force an inquiry into what the British government knows, was brought by lawyers acting for six ex-prisoners and Shaker Aamer (still held at Guantánamo Bay). The government tried to have controversial information in the case heard in secret to not damage “national security”. In November, it won a court order to this effect but this was overturned. Lord Neuberger, hearing the case, ruled that the Court of Appeal would take a “clear stand” against secrecy. The judges held that such closed proceedings, where evidence is withheld from one of the parties, undermine the “most fundamental principles of common law” and that the court did not have the power to allow it. It also prevents the men from getting a fair trial. Given the seriousness of the claims against the government, including involvement in torture, it is in the public interest, particularly that of the men bringing the case, to know the evidence. The government usually relies on public interest immunity (PII) certificates in such cases, as it tried to do in the Binyam Mohamed case, to keep any information it does not want disclosed secret to protect “national security”; it cannot then use this information as evidence in the case. However, in this case, this is exactly what it is seeking to do. The government may appeal this ruling.
For more details on this news:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8659567.stm
http://www.leighday.co.uk/media-centre/press-releases/april-june-2010/ca-overturns-governments-secret-evidence-argument
On 25 May, the state opening of parliament, around a dozen people joined a demonstration organised by the Save Shaker Aamer Campaign (SSAC) in Parliament Square. The protesters wore orange jumpsuits and handed out leaflets. After the Queen’s speech, the SSAC were joined by the new Conservative MP for Battersea Jane Ellison who spoke to the SSAC and expressed her concern for her constituent’s plight.
Guantánamo Bay:
The Maldives has reportedly offered to accept two unnamed Guantánamo prisoners. The US and the Maldives government have held talks on the matter and later stated that the offer was being made on “humanitarian grounds”. However, the move has been opposed by an opposition political party, claiming that it will hurt the island’s reputation as a tourist destination.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8685158.stm
At the beginning of the month, on 4 May, two prisoners were released, a Yemeni national to Spain and a Syrian national to Bulgaria. The Bulgarian government has stated that the man they have allowed to settle in their country has been joined by relatives.
In the US, proceedings are going ahead for Omar Khadr’s military trial in July. His defence team had tried to delay the hearing until August but this was rejected. There are apparently some calls from within the Obama administration to halt the hearing, given that Khadr was only 15 at the time that he was detained, making his trial illegal under international law. Omar Khadr has consistently refused to admit to the attack on American troops in Afghanistan he allegedly carried out when he was 14, which is what prosecutors are pushing for. On 27 May, the head of UNICEF, the UN agency for children, Anthony Lake, who had been a national security adviser to the Clinton administration, spoke out against any trial involving Khadr, stating that it could set a "dangerous international precedent," as Khadr was detained as a minor. If the trial goes ahead, he will be the first person to be prosecuted by a US military tribunal for actions allegedly committed by a minor and his will be the first trial since President Obama took power and pledged to close down Guantánamo Bay and act in accordance with international law with respect to the prisoners held there.
Extraordinary Rendition:
This month, the BBC received confirmation from the Red Cross that the US military is running a detention facility at the Bagram airbase that is distinct from the main prison. Former prisoners told the BBC that they were held and abused in a separate building on the site. Reports of the facility first emerged in November last year and statements of the abuse faced by prisoners, including sleep deprivation and exposure to extremes of temperature, have been consistent. The US military has however denied its existence. Earlier this year, it was reported that Bagram is being looked into as an option for the transfer of prisoners from Guantánamo Bay once it is closed down. It is one of the “least bad” options, according to the US military.
For more on this news:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8674179.stm
Last month the LGC reported that the legal charity Reprieve has started a court case against the British government to force it to reveal the identity of one of the two men who was handed over by British troops in Iraq in 2004 to the US military and were subsequently rendered to Afghanistan; they have been held without access to their families and legal assistance since then at Bagram. Reprieve believes it has identified the second man, a Pakistani national called Younis Rahmatullah, who was studying in the Middle East. Mr. Rahmatullah has been identified by former prisoners in photographs. Prisoners who met Mr. Rahmatullah have also reported that during his time at Bagram he has become mentally ill. It has also been reported that the other man “rendered” by the British, believed by Reprieve to be Pakistani Amanatullah Ali has also suffered mentally and psychologically. The British government which denied handing over the men for several years has refused to identify them officially and even refuses to confirm their identities to their families.
For more on this news:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8684769.stm
This month new allegations emerged about the involvement of British intelligence in the torture of British nationals abroad. Shortly after the election, it emerged that MI5 was involved in the detention and torture during detention of a 48-year old businessman from Birmingham of Bangladeshi origin, Gulam Mustafa, in Bangladesh. When he appeared in court a few weeks after being arrested in mid-April, he looked unwell and could not stand properly. His family and lawyers in the UK are angry that the Foreign Office failed to meet Mr. Mustafa in jail before early May. These allegations follow others of British intelligence colluding with their Bangladeshi counterparts to obtain information through coercion from a former civil servant, also a “terrorism suspect” against whom no actual charges were brought.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/11/mi5-torture-allegations-briton-bangladesh
On 20 May, the new foreign secretary William Hague made a surprise statement in which he announced that the government would hold an inquiry into Britain’s involvement in torture. While in opposition, both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties called for an inquiry. Mr. Hague himself made a statement to this effect just two months ago. No further details have been announced, although Mr. Hague has insisted that it will be a judge-led inquiry. This is a positive step; however the scope of the investigation must be as impartial, open and broad as possible, and must look closely at what has gone wrong in a growing catalogue of involvement in crimes against humanity and human rights violations to ensure that this does not happen again.
Shortly after the election, the NGO Human Rights Watch called for a torture inquiry by the new government: http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/may/14/human-rights-watch-coalition-torture-inquiry
In its annual report, published on 27 May, Amnesty International also called for an independent and thorough inquiry into Britain’s role in torture and extraordinary rendition: http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/may/27/government-torture-inquiry-amnesty
LGC Activities:
The June monthly Shut Down Guantánamo! will be on Friday 4 June at 6-7pm outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, W1A 1AE. Five people attended the May demonstration.
The London Guantánamo Campaign launched a letter-writing campaign http://londonguantnamocampaign.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-will-new-government-do-about.html shortly after the general elections asking people to write to their MPs to found out what their views on bringing Shaker Aamer back to the UK and an inquiry into extraordinary rendition. Following the election, there are a large number of new MPs in London, particularly from the Conservative Party and we would like to know their views on these issues. Please copy, paste and e-mail the letter to your MP. Please let us know what they say if they reply. Although the government has now stated that there will be a torture inquiry, it is important to continue pressing for it, so that it happens sooner rather than later, and to ask what kind of inquiry we are like to get.
You can now follow the latest news about Guantánamo Bay and London Guantánamo Campaign actions on our blog:
http://londonguantnamocampaign.blogspot.com/
And Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/London-Guantanamo-Campaign/114010671973111
British Residents:
On 4 May, a Court of Appeal ruling overturned a decision, made in November last year, to allow the government to have a compensation claim brought by 6 ex-prisoners heard mainly in secret. This would mean that the men and their lawyers would not have access to information concerning the security services’ involvement in their torture and abuse abroad. The case, to seek damages for the British government’s awareness of and involvement in the men’s torture and illegal detention abroad and to force an inquiry into what the British government knows, was brought by lawyers acting for six ex-prisoners and Shaker Aamer (still held at Guantánamo Bay). The government tried to have controversial information in the case heard in secret to not damage “national security”. In November, it won a court order to this effect but this was overturned. Lord Neuberger, hearing the case, ruled that the Court of Appeal would take a “clear stand” against secrecy. The judges held that such closed proceedings, where evidence is withheld from one of the parties, undermine the “most fundamental principles of common law” and that the court did not have the power to allow it. It also prevents the men from getting a fair trial. Given the seriousness of the claims against the government, including involvement in torture, it is in the public interest, particularly that of the men bringing the case, to know the evidence. The government usually relies on public interest immunity (PII) certificates in such cases, as it tried to do in the Binyam Mohamed case, to keep any information it does not want disclosed secret to protect “national security”; it cannot then use this information as evidence in the case. However, in this case, this is exactly what it is seeking to do. The government may appeal this ruling.
For more details on this news:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8659567.stm
http://www.leighday.co.uk/media-centre/press-releases/april-june-2010/ca-overturns-governments-secret-evidence-argument
On 25 May, the state opening of parliament, around a dozen people joined a demonstration organised by the Save Shaker Aamer Campaign (SSAC) in Parliament Square. The protesters wore orange jumpsuits and handed out leaflets. After the Queen’s speech, the SSAC were joined by the new Conservative MP for Battersea Jane Ellison who spoke to the SSAC and expressed her concern for her constituent’s plight.
Guantánamo Bay:
The Maldives has reportedly offered to accept two unnamed Guantánamo prisoners. The US and the Maldives government have held talks on the matter and later stated that the offer was being made on “humanitarian grounds”. However, the move has been opposed by an opposition political party, claiming that it will hurt the island’s reputation as a tourist destination.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8685158.stm
At the beginning of the month, on 4 May, two prisoners were released, a Yemeni national to Spain and a Syrian national to Bulgaria. The Bulgarian government has stated that the man they have allowed to settle in their country has been joined by relatives.
In the US, proceedings are going ahead for Omar Khadr’s military trial in July. His defence team had tried to delay the hearing until August but this was rejected. There are apparently some calls from within the Obama administration to halt the hearing, given that Khadr was only 15 at the time that he was detained, making his trial illegal under international law. Omar Khadr has consistently refused to admit to the attack on American troops in Afghanistan he allegedly carried out when he was 14, which is what prosecutors are pushing for. On 27 May, the head of UNICEF, the UN agency for children, Anthony Lake, who had been a national security adviser to the Clinton administration, spoke out against any trial involving Khadr, stating that it could set a "dangerous international precedent," as Khadr was detained as a minor. If the trial goes ahead, he will be the first person to be prosecuted by a US military tribunal for actions allegedly committed by a minor and his will be the first trial since President Obama took power and pledged to close down Guantánamo Bay and act in accordance with international law with respect to the prisoners held there.
Extraordinary Rendition:
This month, the BBC received confirmation from the Red Cross that the US military is running a detention facility at the Bagram airbase that is distinct from the main prison. Former prisoners told the BBC that they were held and abused in a separate building on the site. Reports of the facility first emerged in November last year and statements of the abuse faced by prisoners, including sleep deprivation and exposure to extremes of temperature, have been consistent. The US military has however denied its existence. Earlier this year, it was reported that Bagram is being looked into as an option for the transfer of prisoners from Guantánamo Bay once it is closed down. It is one of the “least bad” options, according to the US military.
For more on this news:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8674179.stm
Last month the LGC reported that the legal charity Reprieve has started a court case against the British government to force it to reveal the identity of one of the two men who was handed over by British troops in Iraq in 2004 to the US military and were subsequently rendered to Afghanistan; they have been held without access to their families and legal assistance since then at Bagram. Reprieve believes it has identified the second man, a Pakistani national called Younis Rahmatullah, who was studying in the Middle East. Mr. Rahmatullah has been identified by former prisoners in photographs. Prisoners who met Mr. Rahmatullah have also reported that during his time at Bagram he has become mentally ill. It has also been reported that the other man “rendered” by the British, believed by Reprieve to be Pakistani Amanatullah Ali has also suffered mentally and psychologically. The British government which denied handing over the men for several years has refused to identify them officially and even refuses to confirm their identities to their families.
For more on this news:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8684769.stm
This month new allegations emerged about the involvement of British intelligence in the torture of British nationals abroad. Shortly after the election, it emerged that MI5 was involved in the detention and torture during detention of a 48-year old businessman from Birmingham of Bangladeshi origin, Gulam Mustafa, in Bangladesh. When he appeared in court a few weeks after being arrested in mid-April, he looked unwell and could not stand properly. His family and lawyers in the UK are angry that the Foreign Office failed to meet Mr. Mustafa in jail before early May. These allegations follow others of British intelligence colluding with their Bangladeshi counterparts to obtain information through coercion from a former civil servant, also a “terrorism suspect” against whom no actual charges were brought.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/11/mi5-torture-allegations-briton-bangladesh
On 20 May, the new foreign secretary William Hague made a surprise statement in which he announced that the government would hold an inquiry into Britain’s involvement in torture. While in opposition, both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties called for an inquiry. Mr. Hague himself made a statement to this effect just two months ago. No further details have been announced, although Mr. Hague has insisted that it will be a judge-led inquiry. This is a positive step; however the scope of the investigation must be as impartial, open and broad as possible, and must look closely at what has gone wrong in a growing catalogue of involvement in crimes against humanity and human rights violations to ensure that this does not happen again.
Shortly after the election, the NGO Human Rights Watch called for a torture inquiry by the new government: http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/may/14/human-rights-watch-coalition-torture-inquiry
In its annual report, published on 27 May, Amnesty International also called for an independent and thorough inquiry into Britain’s role in torture and extraordinary rendition: http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/may/27/government-torture-inquiry-amnesty
LGC Activities:
The June monthly Shut Down Guantánamo! will be on Friday 4 June at 6-7pm outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, W1A 1AE. Five people attended the May demonstration.
The London Guantánamo Campaign launched a letter-writing campaign http://londonguantnamocampaign.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-will-new-government-do-about.html shortly after the general elections asking people to write to their MPs to found out what their views on bringing Shaker Aamer back to the UK and an inquiry into extraordinary rendition. Following the election, there are a large number of new MPs in London, particularly from the Conservative Party and we would like to know their views on these issues. Please copy, paste and e-mail the letter to your MP. Please let us know what they say if they reply. Although the government has now stated that there will be a torture inquiry, it is important to continue pressing for it, so that it happens sooner rather than later, and to ask what kind of inquiry we are like to get.
You can now follow the latest news about Guantánamo Bay and London Guantánamo Campaign actions on our blog:
http://londonguantnamocampaign.blogspot.com/
And Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/London-Guantanamo-Campaign/114010671973111
Friday, May 21, 2010
Press Statement: The London Guantánamo Campaign Welcomes William Hague’s Call for Torture Inquiry
Press Statement: The London Guantánamo Campaign Welcomes William Hague’s Call for Torture Inquiry
The London Guantánamo Campaign welcomes the Foreign Secretary’s call for an inquiry into allegations of British involvement in extraordinary rendition and torture. This is an encouraging sign that the newly elected government is ready to make good on pledges of support for an inquiry.
The scope of this inquiry needs to be considered very carefully. Mr. Hague has called for a “judge-led” inquiry. In the interest of impartiality and effectiveness, a full judicial inquiry is needed.
Allegations have been made, and indeed substantiated in the Binyam Mohamed case, of the involvement of British intelligence services in torture, in Uzbekistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria and elsewhere. Post-election allegations of collusion in torture made by British nationals in Bangladesh demonstrate the continued relevance and urgency of this issue.
The inquiry must be comprehensive, to cover all these allegations and any further claims that may arise. It must investigate the systemic failures that led to UK involvement in crimes against humanity, and the specific failings within government that led to flagrant violations of international law. Until now the focus has been on supposed rogue elements within the security services. However, the Binyam Mohamed case has dispelled the myth that it is down to 'a few bad apples’. The underlying policies and practices that led to the UK becoming involved in these abuses must be investigated, to discover who knew what, and at what level of government.
British involvement in extraordinary rendition extends to the use of British territories and mainland airspace for the passage and refuelling of CIA “torture” flights, the handing over of prisoners held in British custody to the US, and other forms of collusion in international crimes. All these matters must be investigated, and safeguards introduced, to ensure that the United Kingdom is never involved in torture again.
Victims need closure, our democracy needs transparency and accountability, and the British people have the right to be assured that this will never happen again.
The London Guantánamo Campaign
21 May 2010
For inquiries, please e-mail: london.gtmo@gmail.com
Note:
The London Guantánamo Campaign campaigns for justice for all prisoners at Guantánamo bay, for the closure of this and other secret prisons, and an end to the practice of extraordinary rendition.
The London Guantánamo Campaign welcomes the Foreign Secretary’s call for an inquiry into allegations of British involvement in extraordinary rendition and torture. This is an encouraging sign that the newly elected government is ready to make good on pledges of support for an inquiry.
The scope of this inquiry needs to be considered very carefully. Mr. Hague has called for a “judge-led” inquiry. In the interest of impartiality and effectiveness, a full judicial inquiry is needed.
Allegations have been made, and indeed substantiated in the Binyam Mohamed case, of the involvement of British intelligence services in torture, in Uzbekistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria and elsewhere. Post-election allegations of collusion in torture made by British nationals in Bangladesh demonstrate the continued relevance and urgency of this issue.
The inquiry must be comprehensive, to cover all these allegations and any further claims that may arise. It must investigate the systemic failures that led to UK involvement in crimes against humanity, and the specific failings within government that led to flagrant violations of international law. Until now the focus has been on supposed rogue elements within the security services. However, the Binyam Mohamed case has dispelled the myth that it is down to 'a few bad apples’. The underlying policies and practices that led to the UK becoming involved in these abuses must be investigated, to discover who knew what, and at what level of government.
British involvement in extraordinary rendition extends to the use of British territories and mainland airspace for the passage and refuelling of CIA “torture” flights, the handing over of prisoners held in British custody to the US, and other forms of collusion in international crimes. All these matters must be investigated, and safeguards introduced, to ensure that the United Kingdom is never involved in torture again.
Victims need closure, our democracy needs transparency and accountability, and the British people have the right to be assured that this will never happen again.
The London Guantánamo Campaign
21 May 2010
For inquiries, please e-mail: london.gtmo@gmail.com
Note:
The London Guantánamo Campaign campaigns for justice for all prisoners at Guantánamo bay, for the closure of this and other secret prisons, and an end to the practice of extraordinary rendition.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
What will the new government do about Guantánamo Bay and extraordinary rendition?
Following the parliamentary elections on 6 May and today’s formation of a new Conservative/Liberal Democrat government, we ask you to write to your new/returning MP to ask them where they stand on the issues of Guantánamo Bay and an inquiry into Britain’s role in extraordinary rendition and torture abroad. We would like to know the views of new MPs and the new government on these issues and what they plan to do. We would also like to remind MPs that these issues have not gone away and still matter. Please find a model letter below which you can cut, paste and e-mail to them. As always, you call write by snail mail, e-mail or fax to your parliamentary representatives and you can find out who they are at: www.theyworkforyou.com simply by putting in your postcode. We would like to know what response you get so please get in touch with the London Guantánamo Campaign at: london.gtmo@gmail.com if you hear from them.
Thank you,
LGC
-------
Model letter to MPs:
Dear
As my newly re/elected MP*, I am writing to you to ask what measures you will take in this new parliamentary session with respect to two matters: the closure of Guantánamo Bay and the need for an inquiry into the involvement of the UK, and its government, in extraordinary rendition and torture abroad. I am sure that you appreciate that after almost a decade, these matters are urgent.
With respect to Guantánamo Bay, I would like to know what measures the government is likely to take to secure the release of Shaker Aamer, a British resident from Battersea, whose release was sought by the Labour government in 2007, and who has been found by the Americans to be no threat. Several others whose return was sought at the same time have since returned. It appears that Mr. Aamer continues to languish in Guantánamo Bay, without charge or trial, because of lack of political pressure for his return from the previous government. What steps will you take to ensure his return?
What do you believe Britain could be doing now to help President Obama close Guantánamo Bay, where almost 180 prisoners still remain?
Prior to the election, calls were made for an independent judicial investigation into Britain’s role in extraordinary rendition and torture abroad and very shortly thereafter new allegations have emerged of collusion in the torture and abuse of British citizens in Bangladesh. The Liberal Democrats have pledged an inquiry; the Conservatives did not rule one out, and as recently as March this year the cross-party JCHR strongly urged that one take place. Do you believe such an inquiry should be carried out? If so, what should be its parameters?
British airspace has been used for the overflying and refuelling of “torture” flights. What measures do you believe should be taken to investigate this and prevent future incidents?
Several court cases are pending against the intelligence services for involvement in torture abroad and various parliamentary statements reveal ministerial knowledge of involvement in rendition and torture; what measures should be taken against public servants, of all levels, who knowingly colluded in breaches of international and domestic law?
I look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully,
* Delete as applicable
Thank you,
LGC
-------
Model letter to MPs:
Dear
As my newly re/elected MP*, I am writing to you to ask what measures you will take in this new parliamentary session with respect to two matters: the closure of Guantánamo Bay and the need for an inquiry into the involvement of the UK, and its government, in extraordinary rendition and torture abroad. I am sure that you appreciate that after almost a decade, these matters are urgent.
With respect to Guantánamo Bay, I would like to know what measures the government is likely to take to secure the release of Shaker Aamer, a British resident from Battersea, whose release was sought by the Labour government in 2007, and who has been found by the Americans to be no threat. Several others whose return was sought at the same time have since returned. It appears that Mr. Aamer continues to languish in Guantánamo Bay, without charge or trial, because of lack of political pressure for his return from the previous government. What steps will you take to ensure his return?
What do you believe Britain could be doing now to help President Obama close Guantánamo Bay, where almost 180 prisoners still remain?
Prior to the election, calls were made for an independent judicial investigation into Britain’s role in extraordinary rendition and torture abroad and very shortly thereafter new allegations have emerged of collusion in the torture and abuse of British citizens in Bangladesh. The Liberal Democrats have pledged an inquiry; the Conservatives did not rule one out, and as recently as March this year the cross-party JCHR strongly urged that one take place. Do you believe such an inquiry should be carried out? If so, what should be its parameters?
British airspace has been used for the overflying and refuelling of “torture” flights. What measures do you believe should be taken to investigate this and prevent future incidents?
Several court cases are pending against the intelligence services for involvement in torture abroad and various parliamentary statements reveal ministerial knowledge of involvement in rendition and torture; what measures should be taken against public servants, of all levels, who knowingly colluded in breaches of international and domestic law?
I look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully,
* Delete as applicable
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