Abdel Hakim Belhaj, now head of the Tripoli Military Council, today announced his decision not to appear before the Government’s Detainee Inquiry, led by Sir Peter Gibson. In proceedings against the Government, Mr Belhadj claims that, following intervention by UK security and intelligence agencies, he was held and tortured in Tripoli under the Gaddafi regime.
Marking this announcement, JUSTICE and 16 other NGOs wrote to again raise their concerns that the Gibson Inquiry will be a waste of time and money under its current rules. Without changes to its rules and the protocol governing the disclosure of information, the Gibson Inquiry is so lacking in credibility that JUSTICE, many other NGOs, and the detainees alleging mistreatment by the UK will not participate in its work. In a letter sent today, we call on the Prime Minister to think again and give the Inquiry the tools it needs to effectively investigate the serious allegations of involvement in torture and mistreatment which are a stain on the reputation of the UK.
Press Release, Detainee Inquiry