In response to the news that Libya has signed a memorandum of understanding promising the UK government it will not torture or ill-treat Libyans returned from Britain, Director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti said,

“It would no doubt be very good news if Colonel Gaddafi could now be trusted not to indulge in torture. However, fundamental rights are too precious to gamble with. The 2004 Foreign Office Human Rights report expressed “serious concerns” as to the conditions in Libyan prisons. No doubt further independent corroboration of the happy state in Libya will be forthcoming before any attempted removals”.

Liberty Press Office on 0207 378 3656 or 07973 831 128

Notes to Editors

Under international conventions the UK government cannot send people back to a country where they might face torture, mistreatment or the death penalty. The Foreign Office today announced that it has reached a "memorandum of understanding" which removes this bar to deportations.

The 2004 Human Rights Report issued by the Foreign Office expresses concern about the “human rights situation in Libya, including restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, political prisoners, arbitrary detention and conditions in Libyan prisons.”

Liberty and Human Rights Watch recently wrote to the Prime Minister expressing concerns at the British government’s stated intention to seek diplomatic assurances against torture in order to deport terrorism suspects to their home countries or to third countries where they would be at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. ENDS//