GREECE. 2005. Lavrio Detention Center:
This Afghani man resisted conscription by the Taliban, and was consequently tortured.
He is now being detained in Greece as an illegal immigrant
© Copyright Jim Goldberg / Magnum Photos
The Torture Bill
Justice for Torture Survivors in the UK
Justice is a torture survivor's right. It is also an essential part of the healing process and sends a clear signal to perpetrators that torture will not be tolerated, wherever it takes place. Yet, torture survivors in the UK are currently unable to seek justice in English courts for the torture they endured overseas.
If enacted, the Torture (Damages) Bill would allow survivors to bring a claim for compensation in the courts of England and Wales against those individuals and governments responsible, where they are unable to do so in the country in which they were tortured.
The Bill has been introduced into the House of Lords as a Private Members Bill by Lord Archer of Sandwell QC. This is the latest of several attempts to progress the Bill, which has received support from Parliamentarians -- most notably in 2009 from the Joint Committee on Human Rights. An inquiry by the committee heard evidence from REDRESS and the government among other parties and concluded that a civil remedy should be available in the UK to victims of torture.
TAKE ACTION!
Thank you to all our supporters who have successfully campaigned for the Bill in previous years. We now need your help to keep up the pressure for the Bill's enactment during 2011.
- Bring to the Government’s attention the importance of passing this Bill and of enforcing the absolute prohibition of torture. Write to your MP
- DONATE: Your support will allow us to keep campaigning for justice for torture survivors and for perpetrators to be held to account - Donate
- Request a campaign briefing pack kevin@redress.org or download it here
- If you have experience dealing with survivors of torture or, of the legal issues relating to accountability for torture and state immunity and would like to submit evidence, contact kevin@redress.org
Torture survivors tell REDRESS why the Torture (Damages) Bill is so important to obtaining justice
Why Torture Survivors Support This Bill
(click on the pictures below to read their statements)
Les Walker (British, tortured in Saudi Arabia)
"One thing that really hurt was being blindfolded and just catching sight of ‘Made in England’ on the handcuffs. Boy did that hurt."
Jafaar Al Hasabi (Bahraini, tortured in Bahrain)
"Oh my god you can’t believe it. For two hours one guard is slapping, one is kicking, one is punching me. I fall down twice but I am picked up."
Keith Carmichael (British, tortured in Saudi Arabia)
"Hiding behind the barrier of State Immunity, the states have never had to dispute the substantive evidence of alleged heinous crimes."
