Written Evidence Jan. 26 2022
Inquiry: Government policy on AfghanistanFound: prisoners on death row; the families of people killed in lethal drone strikes; victims of torture and extraordinary
Written Evidence Nov. 25 2021
Inquiry: The Government's response to covid-19: human rights implications of long lockdownFound: century, internment during the First World War, the discrimination of Northern Irish Catholics and extraordinary
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he made of the implications for his policies of new allegations that members of the Shihuh tribe in Musandam were among those detainees that Lord Parker's Inquiry said were subjected to illegal interrogation techniques by British troops in the Persian Gulf in 1970-71.
Answered by James Heappey
We are not aware of any new allegations of wrongdoing. The UK Government does not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone unlawful killing, the use of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment ("CIDT"), or extraordinary rendition. In no circumstance will UK personnel ever take action amounting to torture, unlawful killing, extraordinary rendition, or CIDT. The UK takes suggested incidents of this kind very seriously.
The UK's aim is to develop and promote human rights in those countries with which it deals, consistent with the lead the UK has taken in international efforts to eradicate the mistreatment of detainees.
The UK and Oman have a very close bi-lateral relationship, all elements of which take into account the need to respect international humanitarian law. All UK Armed Services personnel must adhere to strict rules when interacting with detainees.
Found: to be clear; this continues to be a very difficult endeavour, but I can report that thanks to the extraordinary
Written Evidence Oct. 26 2021
Inquiry: Withdrawal from AfghanistanFound: prisoners on death row; the families of people killed in lethal drone strikes; victims of torture and extraordinary
Written Evidence Oct. 26 2021
Inquiry: The Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearing HouseFound: : the requester asked for correspondence between Tony Blair and the then Attorney General regarding Extraordinary
Written Evidence Sep. 08 2021
Inquiry: Tech and the future of UK foreign policyFound: of prisoners on death row; the families of innocents killed in drone strikes; victims of torture and extraordinary
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Nigeria about the alleged extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra movement; and what steps they are taking, if any, to ensure he is (1) protected from torture, and (2) released.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are seeking clarification from the Nigerian government about the circumstances of the arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu. The UK has requested consular access to Mr Kanu from the Nigerian government, and we stand ready to provide consular assistance.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Consolidated Guidance to Service Personnel on overseas detention and reports by Human Rights Watch of torture being practised by Saudi forces at al-Ghaydah airport, what assessment he has made of the compliance with that guidance of the deployment of UK military personnel to Al-Ghaydah airport in Yemen.
Answered by James Heappey
I am aware of speculation in the media regarding UK military personnel operating in Yemen. The UK is not a member of the Saudi-led Coalition. Since the conflict in Yemen began, the then Defence Attache accompanied the then Foreign Secretary on his trip to Aden in March 2019. In 2020 the UK attached a military officer to the office of the UN Special Envoy in an advisory capacity. This military officer has visited Yemen several times in this role. Overseas operational deployments of military personnel are notified to Parliament in line with the longstanding convention of successive Governments.
Separately, the UK Government does not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone unlawful killing, the use of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment (“CIDT”), or extraordinary rendition.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of reports by Human Rights Watch that torture is being practised at a Saudi-run prison camp at Al-Ghaydah airport in Yemen.
Answered by James Heappey
I am aware of speculation in the media regarding UK military personnel operating in Yemen. The UK is not a member of the Saudi-led Coalition. Since the conflict in Yemen began, the then Defence Attache accompanied the then Foreign Secretary on his trip to Aden in March 2019. In 2020 the UK attached a military officer to the office of the UN Special Envoy in an advisory capacity. This military officer has visited Yemen several times in this role. Overseas operational deployments of military personnel are notified to Parliament in line with the longstanding convention of successive Governments.
Separately, the UK Government does not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone unlawful killing, the use of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment (“CIDT”), or extraordinary rendition.