Binyam Mohamed redacted paragraphs

10 Feb 10 | Uncategorized

The full text David Miliband tried to censor

(iv)    It was reported that a new series of interviews was conducted by the United States authorities prior to 17 May 2001 as part of a new strategy designed by an expert interviewer.

(v)    It was reported that at some stage during that further interview process by the United States authorities, BM had been intentionally subjected to continuous sleep deprivation. The effects of the sleep deprivation were carefully observed.

(vi)    It was reported that combined with the sleep deprivation, threats and inducements were made to him. His fears of being removed from United States custody and “disappearing” were played upon.

(vii)    It was reported that the stress brought about by these deliberate tactice was increased by him being shackled during his interviews;

(viii)    It was clear not only from the reports of the content of the interviews but also from the report that he was being kept under self-harm observation, that the interviews were having a marked effect upon him and causing him significant mental stress and suffering.

(ix)    We regret to have concluded that the reports provided to the SyS made clear to anyone reading them that BM was being subjected to the treatment that we have described and the effect upon him of that intentional treatment.

(x)    The treatment reported, if had been administered on behalf of the United Kingdom, would clearly have been in breach of the undertakings given by the United Kingdom in 1972. Although it is not necessary for us to categorise the treatment reported, it could readily be contended to be at the very least cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of BM by the United States authorities.

Judges “irresponsible” in Binyam Mohamed case

14 Dec 09 | Index Index, minipost, News and features

Lawyers for the foreign secretary, David Miliband have branded two senior judges “irresponsible” for wanting to disclose intelligence material related to allegations of torture involving the CIA and the UK’s alleged collusion. Jonathan Sumption QC, appearing for the foreign secretary, told the Court of Appeal the stance taken by High Court judges Lord Justice Thomas and Mr Justice Lloyd Jones could “seriously damage national security”.  The foreign secretary is appealing against six high court judgments ruling that CIA information on Mohamed’s treatment, and what MI5 and MI6 knew about it, must be disclosed. The appeal is being opposed by both Mr Mohamed and media organisations. The case resumes tomorrow and is due to last three days. Read more here

Binyam Mohamed: another blow for Miliband

20 Nov 09 | Uncategorized

The High Court has again rejected claims made by the Foreign Office in an attempt to block the release of evidence relating to the detention of Binyam Mohamed.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband argues that the release of materials detailing Mohamed’s treatment at the hands of the CIA would seriously harm Britain’s intelligence-sharing relationship with the US.

According to the Guardian:

The judges revealed that seven paragraphs in a key document Miliband insists must remain secret “relate to admissions of what officials of the US did to BM during his detention in Pakistan”. They repeated their earlier finding that “what is contained in those seven redacted paragraphs gives rise to an arguable case of torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”.

The court has heard that a British security service officer interrogated Mohamed in Pakistan and officials passed information about him to the CIA. It was clear, the judges said, that the relationship of the UK to the US in connection with Mohamed “was far beyond that of a bystander or witness to the alleged wrongdoing”.

Read the rest here