Pressure grows on PM to hold judge-led inquiry into Britain's role in CIA torture

Freedom from Torture is one of nine human rights organisations to co-sign a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron calling for a judicial probe into allegations of UK involvement in the torture of CIA detainees.

The letter says:

"Your Government rightly came into office determined to get to the bottom of this issue, something crucial not only for accountability but also to restore Britain's reputation in the world. Yet last week's publication of the report by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) has highlighted not only the horrors of the CIA's torture programme, but also the UK's failure as a country to put our own house in order.

We therefore urge you to deliver on your promise of an independent, judge-led inquiry with the powers necessary to get to the truth, before next year's General Election."

According to the organisations that authored the letter, the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) the Parliamentary body currently tasked with the investigation falls far short of the necessary standards for independence and also lacks a mechanism by which torture survivors can participate in the inquiry.

Freedom from Torture's Chief Executive Susan Munroe said:

"The survivors of CIA torture and their families deserve accountability and redress for the torture that has taken place, as both the US and UK are legally obliged to offer under the U.N. Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) which they have both ratified.

It is therefore extremely positive that the former Prime Minister Tony Blair has indicated he is prepared to answer questions about the role of the U.K. in the torture of CIA detainees that took place during the period of his Government.

However for there to be true accountability the investigation will need to demonstrate that it is completely independent and impartial. It is vital that this investigation takes place outside of the party political environment of Parliament and in the context of a judicial inquiry, and the Prime Minister should hesitate no longer in announcing this.

It is also important that investigations in the US and UK lead to prosecutions and redress for survivors as the U.S and U.K have undertaken to deliver through their ratification of UNCAT.

Holding perpetrators of torture to account is a vital starting point for survivors of torture. Aside from leading to possible redress it cannot be underestimated how vital accountability is to the healing and rehabilitation of survivors and generating learning that can be used in the future prevention of torture."

The letter was sent to Mr Cameron on December 16th and was signed by:

Matthew Evans, Director, The AIRE Centre

Kate Allen, Director, Amnesty International UK

Muhammad Rabbani, Managing Director, Cage

Susan Munroe, Chief Executive, Freedom from Torture

Andrea Coomber, Director, JUSTICE

Shami Chakrabarti, Director, Liberty

Carla Ferstman, Director, Redress

Clare Algar, Executive Director, Reprieve

Hanne Stevens, Director (Interim), Rights Watch (UK)