This debate is now closed.
Is torture inquiry needed?
An independent inquiry is needed into claims UK security services were complicit in the torture of terrorism suspects, say MPs and peers. What do you think?
The Joint Human Rights Committee said it could not investigate properly the "disturbing number of credible allegations" of British complicity in torture, because too many questions were not being answered.
However, a spokesman for the government rejected the call for an independent inquiry, saying that the government "unreservedly condemns the use of torture" and oversight was already sufficient.
What do you think of the committee’s findings? Is oversight of the security services sufficient? Or is an independent inquiry needed?
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Published:
Tuesday, 4 August, 2009, 08:08 GMT
09:08 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:58 GMT
11:58 UK
I think that ,the existing enquiry on this issue is sufficient.
Now a days,lot of new precise,scientific findings are avialable for any crime committed by an individul,by groups,by army prsonnels or from anybody.
Whatever it may be, any physical,mental torture to anybody are not acceptable.
We are Huamans.We will be a civilised person under any circumstances.
krishnamurthi ramachandran, Chennai, India
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:56 GMT
11:56 UK
Stop wasting our money with endless enquiries, that prove nothing!
Comrade Toolovsky, Awaiting moderation = Cancelled Licence fee, show them who pays the piper, Russia
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:49 GMT
11:49 UK
Democracy & Religious doctrine, two ideals that can never mix, are going head to head. People all over the world are being killed or maimed and we moan about a few people, who may well have information that can save lives, having water poured over their head, kept in not nice conditions or deprived of sleep but not actually harmed. If people think this is torture then they should re-visit their history books.
STEPHEN BURMAN, EASRLEIGH, United Kingdom
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:44 GMT
11:44 UK
Torture is a criminal offence. It's for the police to investigate and the CPS to prosecute.
But we have a political police force and a political CPS. They don't investigate or prosecute crimes that are embarrassing to this govt. 100s of 1,000s made fraudulent mortgage applications, bank workers processed them, bankers packaged them up and sold them as AAA rated securities. All serious frauds carrying years in prison.
They're not our police, they're the govts.
andrew b, london
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:43 GMT
11:43 UK
T'would seem many here have no reservations on inflicting cruel and unusual punishment on fellow human being based on allegations.
By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes ..and I thought that monsters were the stuff of legend and stories - be afraid!
Mary Shelly
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:42 GMT
11:42 UK
if it saves lives , do it
Pete, Birmingham
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:40 GMT
11:40 UK
Were any Brits harmed?
NO!
Were any Brits present?
NO!
Could Brits have been saved by use of the information gained?
YES!
there, job done.
Lennie Small, Hampshire
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:38 GMT
11:38 UK
We don't need an enquiry as the evidence on the complicity and encouragement of torture is strong and clear. Charges should be brought in a court of law and they should start at the top - with the Prime Minister and other cabinet members who presided over a system which sanctioned torture. Members of the security services and other individuals involved in torture should also be charged. Anything else is a whitewash.
Torture produces confessions but not truth.
kathleen bell, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:34 GMT
11:34 UK
"Why? Evidence is after the event, not before it! So what do you do?
John Alexander Langley "
And a crime is committed after the event, not before.
Mark, Exeter
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:32 GMT
11:32 UK
"No, these people would kill and maim innocent civilians for their own ends. Anything that stops them is justified.
[kaybraes] "
Even killing and maiming innocent civilians?
Mark, Exeter
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:27 GMT
11:27 UK
We must not lower ourselves to the level of others, torture is unacceptable in any form and must be stopped throughout all society. However, problems will arise when troops are in conflict, many having seen what has happened to captured colleagues, plus the endless media cover of such terrible issues will whip up emotions, some by nature will resort to unacceptable actions. These acts must be stamped out and all people brought to justice on all sides who employ unacceptable practises.
[Y13GEO]
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:12 GMT
11:12 UK
We are all getting carried away with the term "torture". These people are being subjected to no more than inconvenience. Sleep deprivation and loud music cannot be classed along with the barbarice practices of the middle ages.
Doctor Sensible, edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 10:03 GMT
11:03 UK
"Do terrorists concern themselves with the Geneva Convention rights of civilians? I think not!
Michael Donnelly, Preston, United Kingdom "
The question is... Do we? The answer is... Only when it suits us
The Truth, In a distant land
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 09:52 GMT
10:52 UK
1) Yes
2) No
Chris, Birmingham
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Added:
Wednesday, 5 August, 2009, 09:52 GMT
10:52 UK
Cowardly & brutal assaults on any individual are indefensible at any time, when they are sanctioned by govenments it makes reasonable people feel sickened and angry, when it is sanctioned by your own government it just makes you feel absolute despair. When the BBC gives preference to comments on it's HYS that symphasise with the views of biggots & xenophobes, then you have to wonder just how long you can you stay in the country that you were born in.
[Toady_Bliar], Manchester, United Kingdom
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DEBATE STATUS
Total comments: 765
Published comments: 550
Rejected comments: 215
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