The inquiry, set up by Prime Minister David Cameron, under the chairmanship of retired British judge Sir Peter Gibson, is to look into allegations that the secret services were complicit in the torture and rendition of terror suspects, although it is not due to start until after ongoing police investigations.
But in a joint letter to the solicitor for the inquiry, ten groups including Liberty, Reprieve and Amnesty International said they did not intend to submit any evidence or attend any further meetings with the inquiry team.
The inquiry`s protocol and terms of reference showed it would not have the "credibility or transparency" to ensure "the truth about allegations that UK authorities were involved in the mistreatment of detainees held abroad" was brought to light, they said.
Although they initially welcomed the inquiry when it was announced last year, their letter warned that it would not comply with the government`s international obligations to investigate torture.
"We are particularly disappointed that the issue of what material may be disclosed to the public will not be determined independently of government and, further, that there will be no meaningful participation of the former and current detainees and other interested third parties," it said.
Key sessions will be held in secret and the cabinet secretary will have the final say over what information is made public, while those who alleged they were subject to torture and rendition, including former Guantanamo detainees, will not be able to question the security service and foreign intelligence agencies.
Liberty described the inquiry as a "waste of time and money" because it lacks credibility and transparency, while Amnesty International said it needed to be "as open and effective as possible, not this semi-secret process that lacks scope and ambition."
"This is a desperately needed inquiry into extremely serious allegations but the arrangements for it are secretive, unfair and deeply flawed," said Amnesty`s UK policy advisor, Tara Lyle.
"Those that suffered terrible abuse are set to be let down by this inquiry, while the general public is likely to be denied the opportunity to learn what went wrong during this dark chapter in our history," Lyle said.
(T.A045/H-AK)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
