A new government heralds new hope for torture survivors

As David Cameron takes over the keys to the country the coalition government between Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats brings a new dawn into the torture debate with hopes for a full and judicial inquiry into the UK's complicity in torture as laid out in the Liberal Democrat manifesto and not ruled out by the Conservatives. This new start brings renewed vigour in the call to fully uphold the worldwide ban on torture and to protect the rights of those who seek safety from organised violence and torture abroad.

"Clearly Britain has an opportunity here to build our reputation as a fair society with an unimpeachable human rights record and a just asylum process," says MF's CEO Keith Best. "We call on Cameron and Clegg to consider the plight of torture survivors in the immigration system to ensure their human rights are protected and to bring transparency to the conduct of the security services so we can be sure the UK is a protector of civil liberties and not an abuser."

The Human Rights Act comes under scrutiny with the Conservatives as Cameron has said he will repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a Bill of Rights in a move that is vehemently opposed by the MF and other human rights organisations, whilst the Liberal Democrats have pledged to protect the Human Rights Act. We believe that the Human Rights Act is fundamental in ensuring a free and democratic country and should not be tampered with.

Now is the time to take action to restore the country's reputation... Now is the time to take action to restore the country's reputation... The Liberal Democrats have gone further in their manifesto by stating they will incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into UK law which will consequently end the detention of children for immigration purposes in a move that is applauded by the MF and children's charities.

Now is the time to take action to restore the country's reputation both at home and abroad and to inspire the trust of those who have put faith in those who govern. We are therefore calling on the government to:

  • Hold an independent judicial inquiry into allegations of complicity by UK security services in torture and extraordinary rendition connected with the "War on Terror'

  • Ensure fuller international scrutiny of the UK's torture record by allowing individuals to take their complaints to the UN's Committee against Torture

  • Protect the Human Rights Act and ensure there is no dilution of the torture ban in UK law

  • Ensure torture survivors seeking protection via the UK's asylum system are identified at the earliest possible opportunity so that, among other things, they are not routed into the Detained Fast Track system

  • Ensure that pressure on the UK Border Agency to meet targets does not interfere with the right of torture survivors to secure independent medical evidence before their asylum claim is decided

  • End detention of torture survivors and all children

  • Ensure that the best interests of the child are the primary consideration in all actions concerning children whose lives have been affected by torture

  • Tackle poverty for torture survivors in the UK

  • Improve access to rehabilitation services for torture survivors in the UK

  • End forced removals to States where torture is practiced and ensure no torture survivor is returned to a place where they will not have a realisable right to rehabilitation

  • Help end impunity for torture by permitting survivors in the UK to bring civil claims for compensation in UK courts against States and officials responsible for their torture

  • We expect the UK's foreign policy to reflect these values by calling to account those States that engage in torture, and also denouncing their use of it