Press Releases

Report alleges British complicity in torture and rendition of British citizens

Following revelations in a recently published report entitled "Fabricating Terrorism III; British complicity in renditions and torture" by the human rights NGO Cageprisoners, the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) expresses serious concerns regarding the British government's role in the torture and rendition of British residents and citizens.  The report provides the case studies and evidence of the complicity of the British government with respect to 31 British citizens and residents and will be submitted to Sir Peter Gibson who is heading the inquiry into allegations of British complicity in torture and rendition.  This report provides crucial evidence and builds strongly upon the work of organisations like Amnesty International, who in March 2010 released a report accusing the British government of grave human rights violations.  FOSIS calls on the Gibson inquiry to take into consideration the findings of the Cageprisoners and the Amnesty International reports.  The issue of alleged British complicity will feature during the national student 'Civil Liberties Week', an initiative co-organised by FOSIS and due to be rolled out in universities across the country in March 2011.

Qasim Rafiq, spokesman for FOSIS said today, "With a litany of complaints alleging complicity in torture and rendition, can Britain pride itself as a leader in human rights any longer?  The evidence suggests not.  These allegations, if true, will be damaging and it is imperative that those responsible are held accountable and made to face the consequences of their actions.  That the government could be complicit in such a horrendous abuse of human rights against it's own citizens is completely unacceptable, but sadly unsurprising following the evidence which emerged from the Guantanamo Bay detainees' legal cases."

He further added, "It is vital that the Gibson inquiry takes into account the findings of the Cageprisoners report and bring to justice any found guilty of illegal crimes.  This issue has generated significant discussion across university campuses and I have no doubt that this will feature prominently during the national student ‘Civil Liberties Week’."

Notes:

1. FOSIS (est. 1963) is the umbrella organisation of student groups in colleges and universities throughout the UK and Ireland, representing over 90,000 Muslim students.

2. For more information, please contact FOSIS Media on 07786636691, email head.media@fosis.org.uk or alternatively visit our website www.fosis.org.uk