Complicity in Torture

[sp1214]

MI5 have been accused of complicity in torture. Milliband, the Foreign Secretary, has denied that we never indulge in such things. Do you believe MI5 conspired with other countries to torture?

Are the security services answerable to anyone? Other cases have come to light recently where they harm an individual and put the blame onto someone else.

[tamborine]

This is Binyan who was caught in a war zone in Afghanistan and tortured in Pakistan & Morocco?

Is he your hidden agenda?

[Gormless]

Security Services collaborate. Stuff goes on in the interests of "National Security", maybe unpleasant stuff.

However, 9/11 was also very very very unpleasant. It depends what you want. If you want to leap up and down (from a temporarily secure armchair) about hooman rights, then away you go. An Ethiopian was picked up in Pakistan, no doubt just shopping. The prospect is now of the UK paying compensation!!!!

You couldn't write stupidity better.

[rov1200]

At least the US is more up front about it and does not hide behind the coat-tails of others.

[Sgt.Rock]

Or would you prefer to believe the word of a Muslim extremist drug addict and terrorist suspect who takes his "holidays" in Afghanistan travelling on a false passport?

[Supernick]

Yeah, 'cos up front torture is fine. I like my torture to be right in my face.

[buildersmate]

Try separating the process from the desired outcomes.
It probably works like this:
US: "We've picked up this guy, says he lives in UK. What do you guys know about him and what would you like us to ask him"
(UK responds to the request)
Later. US: "OK, we've talked to him at length and he has told us XYZ - want to know what he told us?".
UK: "Yes, please".

Does that make the UK a conspirator to torture? I don't think so.
We all know, surely, that politicians (and many other walks of life) have ways of distancing themselves from events that might bite them - some more successfully than others.

[R1Geezer]

Torture? Have you seen Big Brother? that's torture!

[Julnar]

Unfortunately, the war on terror is so far removed from 'normal' warfare that unpleasant realities like torture are probably with us for the near future. I would rather the security services that represent my country didn't use or benefit from the use of torture, but I would also prefer not to be threatened in my own country by fanatics who are prepared to kill innocent civilians at the drop of a hat. Desperate measures are often the result of dealing with psychotic and unreasonable people who's agenda is to destroy our way of life.

[ummmm]

Oh c'mon. They have always used torture. How did they get the Guildford 4 (Maguire 7) and the Birmingham 6 to confess to crimes they didn't commit.

[Oneeyedvic]

How many people believe that there were thousands of witches in the middle ages?

Amazing what you would admit to when there is a red hot poker up your jacksie.

Torture has never been an effective way of gaining information.

[buildersmate]

True, but I sense we are drifting from the question.
Was the UK implicated? - no.
Did we think those on the other side of the pond were engaged in such things? - yes, but there's nothing to link it to the UK. (So that's OK then? - no comment)
Do we rely on what information was obtained? - only those in the security servive would know - it wasn't about obtaining a confession (are you a witch or not?) - it was about obtaining intelligence to be able to conduct additional operations.

[tamborine]

Steve.5.....We have to trust in our Security services - there's no alternative. We voted in the Gov who control SS!

It is recognised worldwide that the Govs in middle-east are corrupt. We have a democracy we live by.

[anotheoldgit]

Milliband, the Foreign Secretary, has denied that we never indulge in such things.

Just a point, has Milliband denied that we never indulge in such things?

Or has Milliband admitted that we never indulge in such things?

Whole lot of difference I think.