November, 24 2009, 01:47pm EDT
![Human Rights Watch (HRW)](https://assets.rbl.ms/50602809/origin.jpg)
UK: Set Judicial Inquiry on Complicity in Torture
British Government Should Stop Stonewalling
LONDON
The UK government should immediately order an independent judicial
inquiry into the role and complicity of British security services in
the torture of terrorism suspects in Pakistan, Human Rights Watch said
in a report released today.
The 46-page report, "Cruel Britannia: British Complicity in the Torture and Ill-treatment of Terror Suspects in Pakistan," provides accounts from victims and their families in the cases of five UK citizens of Pakistani origin
- Salahuddin Amin, Zeeshan Siddiqui, Rangzieb Ahmed, Rashid Rauf and a
fifth individual who wishes to remain anonymous - tortured in Pakistan
by Pakistani security agencies between 2004 and 2007. Human Rights
Watch found that while there is no evidence of UK officials directly
participating in torture, UK complicity is clear.
"British intelligence and law enforcement colluded with and turned a
blind eye to the use of torture on terrorism suspects in Pakistan,"
said Ali Dayan Hasan, senior South Asia researcher at Human Rights
Watch. "British officials knew that Pakistani intelligence agencies
routinely used torture, were aware of specific cases and did not
intervene."
A well-placed official within the UK government told Human Rights
Watch that allegations of UK complicity made by Human Rights Watch in
testimony to the UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights in
February 2009 were accurate. Another government source told Human
Rights Watch that its research into this subject was "spot on."
These officials said that the Pakistani intelligence services
cooperated in specific cases by sharing information from abusive
interrogations with British officials, which was used in prosecutions
in UK courts and other investigations. UK law enforcement and
intelligence officials passed questions to Pakistani officials for use
in interrogation sessions in individual cases, knowing that these
Pakistani officials were using torture.
Knowledgeable civilian and military officials in the Pakistani
government have on numerous occasions told Human Rights Watch that
British officials were aware of the mistreatment of the terrorism
suspects in question.
"A key lesson from the past eight years of global efforts to combat
terrorism is that the use of torture and ill-treatment is deeply
counterproductive," Hasan said. "It undermines the moral legitimacy of
governments that rely on it and serves as a recruiting tool for
terrorist organizations."
Four of the victims described meeting British officials while
detained in Pakistan. In some cases this happened shortly after
sessions in which the individuals had been tortured, when clear and
visible signs of torture were evident.
Rangzieb Ahmed, from Greater Manchester, England, was arrested in
the North West Frontier Province in Pakistan on August 20, 2006 and
accused of links with al Qaeda. On September 7, 2007, he was
transferred to the United Kingdom. Ahmed told Human Rights Watch that
while he was in detention in Pakistan, he was repeatedly tortured,
beaten, deprived of sleep, and otherwise mistreated by Pakistani
security agencies. His torturers pulled out three of his fingernails,
he said.
Human Rights Watch spoke to members of Pakistan's law enforcement
agencies involved in processing Ahmed at various stages of his
detention. These sources, from both civilian and military Pakistani
agencies, confirmed what they described as the "overall authenticity"
of his claims, including the claim that British intelligence services
were aware of his detention and treatment at "all times."
Zeeshan Siddiqui from Hounslow, London, was arrested in Pakistan on
May 15, 2005, on suspicion of involvement in terrorism. He was deported
to the United Kingdom on January 8, 2006. During his detention,
Siddiqui said he was repeatedly beaten, chained, injected with drugs,
and threatened with sexual abuse and further torture.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, Pakistani security officials
confirmed to Human Rights Watch that Siddiqui was arrested on the basis
of a tip-off from the British intelligence services and at their
request. The Pakistani sources added that British intelligence agents
were aware at all times that Siddiqui was being "processed" in the
"traditional way" and the British were "effectively" interrogating
Siddiqui even as Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau "processed" him.
"Because no one could prove or get him to admit anything useful,
that is probably why the green light was given to bring him into the
[legal] system," the source said.
Amin, of Edgware, was convicted in April 2007 in the "Crevice" trial
for plotting attacks against several potential targets, including
London's Ministry of Sound nightclub. Amin gave himself up voluntarily
to Pakistani authorities after assurances were given to his family that
he would not be mistreated, but was then tortured repeatedly through
2004 and forced into false confessions.
Amin alleges that during his detention he was met by British
intelligence officials on almost a dozen occasions. Amin was released
by Pakistani authorities after a 10-month illegal detention, and then
arrested upon arrival at Heathrow airport in 2005.
Pakistani intelligence sources said that Amin's account of his
detention and meetings with British and American intelligence personnel
are "essentially accurate." These sources told Human Rights Watch that
Amin's was a "high pressure" case and that the British and American
desire for information from him was "insatiable." The sources added
that the British and American agents who were "party" to Amin's
detention were "perfectly aware that we were using all means possible
to extract information from him and were grateful that we were doing
so."
"The evil of terrorism does not justify participating in or using
the results of torture," Hasan said. "Until an independent inquiry is
held and those responsible held accountable, Britain's reputation as a
rights-respecting nation will stand tarnished."
General denials of complicity in torture from the foreign and home
secretaries have not addressed the specific allegations made by Human
Rights Watch, The Guardian newspaper, and lawyers representing torture
victims.
The government has also failed to respond adequately to the findings
and recommendations of the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) and
the Foreign Affairs Committee. The JCHR has called for an independent
judicial inquiry. "The British government has stonewalled parliament,
victims and the public alike in refusing to answer any questions about
its behavior in Pakistan," Hasan said. "It should immediately set up an
independent judicial inquiry and put in place measures to ensure that
its complicity in torture never happens again."
Human Rights Watch is one of the world's leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, we give voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes. Our rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for action and raise the cost of human rights abuse. For 30 years, Human Rights Watch has worked tenaciously to lay the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change and has fought to bring greater justice and security to people around the world.
LATEST NEWS
'Tragic Outcome' for Gig Workers as California Supreme Court Hands Win to Uber, DoorDash
"Today's ruling only strengthens our demand for the right to join together in a union so that we can begin improving the gig economy for workers and our customers," the case plaintiff said.
Jul 25, 2024
Labor advocates on Thursday decried a ruling by the California Supreme Court upholding a lower court's affirmation of a state ballot measure allowing app-based ride and delivery companies to classify their drivers as independent contractors, limiting their worker rights.
The court's seven justices ruled unanimously in Castellanos v. State of California that Proposition 22, which was approved by 58% of California voters in 2020, complies with the state constitution. Prop 22—which was overturned in 2021 by an Alameda County Superior Court judge in 2021—was upheld in March 2023 by the state's 1st District Court of Appeals.
The business models of app-based companies including DoorDash, Instacart, Lyft, and Uber rely upon minimizing frontline worker compensation by categorizing drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. Independent contractors are not entitled to unemployment insurance, health insurance, or compensation for business expenses.
There are approximately 1.4 million app-based gig workers in California, according to industry estimates.
While DoorDash hailed Thursday's ruling as "not only a victory for Dashers, but also for democracy itself," gig worker advocates condemned the decision.
"Over the last three years, gig workers across California have experienced firsthand that Prop 22 is nothing more than a bait-and-switch meant to enrich global corporations at the expense of the Black, brown, and immigrant workers who power their earnings," plaintiff Hector Castellanos, who drives for Uber and Lyft, said in a statement.
"Prop 22 has allowed gig companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash to deprive us of a living wage, access to workers compensation, paid sick leave, and meaningful healthcare coverage," Castellanos added. "Today's ruling only strengthens our demand for the right to join together in a union so that we can begin improving the gig economy for workers and our customers."
Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO, said that "we are deeply disappointed that the state Supreme Court has allowed tech corporations to buy their way out of basic labor laws despite Proposition 22's inconsistencies with our state constitution."
"These companies have upended our social contract, forcing workers and the public to take on the inherent risk created by this work, while they profit," she continued. "A.B. 5 granted virtually all California workers the right to be paid for all hours worked, health and safety standards, unemployment insurance, workers compensation, and the right to organize."
"Rideshare and delivery drivers deserve those rights as well," Gonzalez stressed.
The Gig Workers Rising campaign said on social media that "Uber and other app corporations spent $220 million to buy this law, and they did it by tricking Californians."
Prop 22's passage in November 2020 with nearly 59% of the vote was the culmination of what was by far the most expensive ballot measure in California history. App-based companies and their backers outspent labor and progressive groups by more than 10 to 1, with proponents pouring a staggering $204.5 million into the "yes" campaign's coffers against just $19 million for the "no" side.
"Voters were told the initiative would provide us with 'historic new benefits' and guaranteed earnings," said Gig Workers Rising. "But since it went into effect, drivers have seen our pay go down, learned the benefits are a sham, and have to accept unsafe rides because of the constant threat of being 'deactivated,' kicked off the app with little explanation or warning."
"If Uber really cared about good benefits and fair wages, it could make that happen tomorrow," the campaign added. "Instead, it has shown it would rather slash pay, bamboozle voters, and put drivers' lives and livelihoods in danger—all while promising $7 billion in stock buybacks to banks and billionaires."
Veena Dubal, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine who focuses on labor and inequality, toldCalMatters that Thursday's ruling was "a really tragic outcome," but "it's not the end of the road."
Dubal's sentiment was echoed by some California state legislators, who said the ruling presents an opportunity to act.
"While this decision is frustrating, it must also be motivating," said state Senate Labor Committee Chair Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-28). "I'm more determined than ever to ensure that all workers—including our diverse and Black, Indigenous, and people of color-led gig workforce—have the basic protections of workers compensation, paid sick leave, family leave, disability insurance, and the right to form a union."
Prop 22 has served as a template for lawmakers in other states seeking to deny or limit basic worker rights, benefits, and protections.
In Massachusetts, app-based companies have been fighting for years to get a measure to classify drivers as contractors on the state ballot. In 2022, Lyft made the largest political donation in state history—$14.4 million—to a coalition funding one such proposal.
Last month, Uber and Lyft reached an agreement with the office of Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, a Democrat, to pay $175 million to settle a lawsuit filed in 2020. As part of the deal, the companies also agreed to increase driver pay and provide paid sick leave, accident insurance, and some health benefits. The agreement does not address how app-based gig workers should be classified.
Keep ReadingShow Less
Young Voters Tell Kamala Harris to 'Fight for Our Future'
"This is your chance to energize young people and our communities to vote, mount one of the greatest political comebacks in decades, and deliver a resounding defeat to the far-right agenda of Trump and Vance."
Jul 25, 2024
Four youth-led groups on Thursday urged Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, to "fight for our future" by pursuing a policy agenda the coalition unveiled in a March letter to U.S. President Joe Biden.
It's been less than a week since Biden left the race and endorsed Harris, who is expected to face former Republican Donald Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), in the November election. Since then, she's racked up endorsements from Democratic members of Congress and progressive groups focused on issues including climate, labor, and reproductive rights.
March for Our Lives, which was launched after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, honored Harris with the group's first-ever endorsement on Wednesday, calling her "the right person to stand up for us and fight for the country we deserve."
"To defeat Trump, you must rebuild support and enthusiasm among young voters."
The gun violence prevention organization is part of the youth-led coalition behind the new letter, which also includes the climate-focused Sunrise Movement; Gen-Z for Change, which advocates on a range of issues; and the national immigrant network United We Dream Action.
"You have an urgent and important task. To defeat Trump, you must rebuild support and enthusiasm among young voters," the coalition told Harris on Thursday, noting that she sought the Democratic nomination during the last cycle. "You should build on your 2020 campaign platform where you put forward a strong vision to make the economy work for everyday people and ensure a livable future for us all."
The groups urged Harris to support the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and the Reverse Mass Incarceration Act. They pushed her to expand pathways to citizenship, keep families together, end fossil fuel subsidies, and create good, union jobs. They also called on her to prioritize gun violence prevention and investments in public health solutions and green, affordable housing.
"Democrats are at a critical crossroads with young people," the coalition wrote to Harris on Thursday. "Polls showed Biden and Trump neck-and-neck among young voters."
ANew York Times/Siena College poll conducted July 22-24 shows Trump leading Harris 48% to 47% among likely voters and 48% to 46% among registered voters—differences that fall within the margin of error.
Forbesnoted Thursday that "Democrats are far more enthusiastic about Harris than they were Biden, the Times/Siena survey found, with nearly 80% of voters who lean Democrat saying they would like Harris to be the nominee, compared to 48% of Democrats who said the same about Biden three weeks ago."
The outlet also pointed to two other polls conducted by Morning Consult and Reuters/Ipsos since Biden dropped out, which both show Harris with a narrow lead over Trump.
"You have an opportunity to win the youth vote by turning the page and differentiating yourself from Biden policies that are deeply unpopular with us, such as approving new oil and gas projects, denying people their right to seek refuge and asylum, and funding the Israeli government's killing of civilians in Gaza," the youth coalition highlighted Thursday. "You must speak to the economic pain young people are facing from crushing student debt and skyrocketing housing and food prices."
Looking beyond November, the groups told Harris—who could be the first Black woman and person of Asian descent elected to the country's highest office—that "you could be a historic president. Not just because of who you are, but what you can accomplish."
"Young people are energized and ready to organize against fascism and for the future we deserve," they concluded. "This is your chance to energize young people and our communities to vote, mount one of the greatest political comebacks in decades, and deliver a resounding defeat to the far-right agenda of Trump and Vance."
Keep ReadingShow Less
Video Game Actors Strike for AI Protections
"The video game industry generates billions of dollars in profit annually," said one union leader. "The driving force behind that success is the creative people who design and create those games."
Jul 25, 2024
After nearly two years of negotiations with video game giants and no deal that would protect performers from artificial intelligence, unionized voice and motion capture actors who work in video game development announced Thursday that they will go on strike starting at 12:01 am on Friday, July 26.
The performers are represented by Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which last year won a contract for TV and film actors that included "unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI," after the union went on strike for four months.
The union has been negotiating on behalf of video game actors with major production companies including Disney Character Voices Inc., Activision Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc., and has won concessions over wages and job safety—but "AI protections remain the sticking point," said SAG-AFTRA on Thursday as the impending strike was announced.
Unionized actors want protections that would stop video game companies from training AI to replicate actors' voices or likeness without their consent and without compensating them.
"The video game industry generates billions of dollars in profit annually," said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA. "The driving force behind that success is the creative people who design and create those games. That includes the SAG-AFTRA members who bring memorable and beloved game characters to life, and they deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as performers in film, television, streaming, and music: fair compensation and the right of informed consent for the AI use of their faces, voices, and bodies."
"Frankly, it's stunning that these video game studios haven't learned anything from the lessons of last year—that our members can and will stand up and demand fair and equitable treatment with respect to AI, and the public supports us in that," he added.
Sarah Elmaleh, negotiating committee chair for the union's interactive media agreement, said the negotiations have shown the companies "are not interested in fair, reasonable AI protections, but rather flagrant exploitation."
"We look forward to collaborating with teams on our interim and independent contracts, which provide AI transparency, consent, and compensation to all performers, and to continuing to negotiate in good faith with this bargaining group when they are ready to join us in the world we all deserve," said Elmaleh.
The unionized actors voted in favor of the strike authorization with a 98.32% yes vote, said SAG-AFTRA.
The strike was announced as more than 500 workers who help develop the popular World of Warcraft video game franchise voted to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA), with the games publisher, Blizzard Entertainment, recognizing the bargaining unit.
CWA noted that the workers' journey to union representation began with a walkout in 2021 at Activision Blizzard, which was later bought by Microsoft, over sexual harassment and discrimination.
"What we've accomplished at World of Warcraft is just the beginning," Eric Lanham, a World of Warcraft test analyst, said in a statement. "We know that when workers have a protected voice, it's a win-win for employee standards, the studio, and World of Warcraft fans looking for the best gaming experience."
Keep ReadingShow Less
Most Popular