UN Committee adds to calls for inquiry

In a new report (the sixth periodic report on the UK, covering a wide range of issues), the UN Committee Against Torture has urged the British Government to initiate its long-promised judge-led inquiry into extraordinary rendition. Citing the further revelations in last summer's reports by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), the Committee urges the Govenrment to "establish without further delay an inquiry on alleged acts of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees held overseas committed by, at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of British officials." It expresses concern that the inquiry has not so far been initiated, "despite previous assurances to this Committee."

Its promises of a speedy response at the time of the ISC report, and calls from bodies such as the UN Committee, the Council of Europe, the APPG and NGOS for the inquiry notwithstanding, the government says only that it "continues to give serious consideration" to the need for it.