diplomatic assurances

antarchi's picture

The UK government agreed diplomatic assurances [that torture would not be applied] contained in “memoranda of understanding” with Jordan, Libya and Lebanon - all countries with a known pattern of torture... Britain is eager to agree assurances with Algeria, and remains in discussion with Egypt and other countries...
The countries with which the UK is discussing or has agreed diplomatic assurances have already signed up to the Convention against Torture - which they flout. In effect, they are being asked to say: “On this occasion, with this detainee, we will refrain from committing crimes which we secretly commit, despite legally binding commitments, on a regular basis.”