London, March 23, IRNA — The British government was accused Tuesday of involvement in a catalogue of “grave human rights violations” since the September 2001 attacks in the US.
In a damning report, Amnesty International said there is “credible evidence” that the government is implicated in torture, unlawful detentions, rendition, the concealment of victims’ complaints and a failure to disclose evidence of torture.
“Amnesty International believes that there is credible evidence that the UK has been involved in grave human rights violations perpetrated against people held overseas since the attacks in the USA on 11 September 2001,” the London-based organisation said.
Documentation included UK personnel being present at and participating in interrogations of detainees held unlawfully overseas in circumstances in which the UK knew or ought to have known there was a risk of torture.
The UK was also evidenced providing information to the US and other countries that led to individuals being detained and put at risk of torture and of involvement in the US secret rendition and detention program.
Amnesty said an inquiry must establish whether any secret agreements were forged between the UK and the US in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks that had a subsequent bearing on human rights practises.
The report comes after human rights organisations joined MPs in writing an open letter on Monday, demanding an independent inquiry into the UK’s role in torture and rendition.
Amnesty said the inquiry must also tackle whether there were changes to official guidance given to MI5 security services and MI6 intelligence agency officers questioning terrorism suspects held overseas and how often ministers signed warrants approving criminal acts.
The government has an obligation in international law to conduct “a full, independent, impartial, thorough and effective investigation” into the UK’s role in such abuses, the report warned.