for people convicted of terrorism, defined in Sharjah emirate executed a Sri Lankan broadly to include any acts resulting in a man by firing squad. The following month, “terrorist outcome,” such as declaring by any the President declared a stay on all public means “enmity to the state or regime” pending executions for murder to enable or “non-allegiance to its leadership”. the authorities to contact victims’ families In November, the government declared and ascertain whether they would accept al-Islah and more than 80 other groups “blood money” for their relatives’ deaths. In “terrorist” organizations; they included many May, press reports indicated that a court in armed groups active in other countries as well Abu Dhabi sentenced a woman to death by as several Muslim aid organizations. stoning for adultery.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS Women faced discrimination in law and practice. The UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers recorded “institutionalized gender discrimination within the administration of justice”. She highlighted United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern that women were not allowed to become Ireland federal court judges, in violation of CEDAW, to Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II which the UAE is a party. Head of government:

MIGRANT WORKER’S RIGHTS Despite protective provisions in the 1980 The Prime Minister confirmed that a Labour Law and subsequent decrees, foreign Conservative Party government would repeal migrant workers were exploited and abused. the Human Rights Act if elected in 2015. Many workers, who had generally paid fees Allegations of in relation to counter- to recruiting agents, reported that they were terrorism operations overseas remained deceived over the terms and conditions of unresolved. The government passed their work. Construction workers often lived in legislation extending communications poor and inadequate accommodation, while data interception powers. Accountability few held their own passports. Late payment mechanisms for historical human rights or non-payment of wages was common. The violations and abuses in Northern kafala sponsorship system made workers Ireland remained inadequate. Access to vulnerable to abuse by employers, while those abortion remained extremely limited in involved in collective action such as strikes or Northern Ireland. sit-ins were liable to arrest and deportation. Domestic workers, mostly women from LEGAL, CONSTITUTIONAL OR Asia, continued to be excluded from the INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS protections afforded to other migrant workers, In a referendum held in Scotland and faced physical violence, confinement in September, voters opted against to places of work and labour abuses. The independence. authorities had been considering a draft law Charities and civil society organizations on domestic workers since at least 2012 but expressed concerns about the Transparency did not enact it in 2014. of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014, which DEATH PENALTY entered into force in September. The Act Courts continued to impose death sentences, could significantly restrict their public-facing mostly for murder. In January, the authorities

Amnesty International Report 2014/15 389 campaigning in a “regulated period” leading assurances when seeking to deport up to a national election. individuals allegedly posing a threat to The effects of cuts to legal aid made in national security to countries where they 2012 and 2013, including under the Legal would be at risk of grave human rights Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders violations, including torture. Act, continued to restrict access to justice. In July 2013, the UK authorities deported Legislation introduced to restrict judicial Abu Qatada to where the State review raised similar concerns. Security Court failed to disregard torture- In October, Prime Minister Cameron tainted “confessions” in two criminal trials confirmed that, if elected, a Conservative against him (see Jordan entry). In July 2014, Party government would repeal the Human the Court of Appeal heard an appeal by Rights Act and replace it with a British Bill of eight Algerian nationals against a January Rights, with a view to limiting the influence of 2013 decision by the Special Immigration the European Court of Human Rights. Draft Appeals Commission to allow their deportation proposals threatened significant restrictions with assurances. on rights. Armed forces in Iraq In May 2013, the High Court ruled that the TORTURE AND OTHER ILL-TREATMENT Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT), a Detainee Inquiry unit within the Ministry of Defence set up In December 2013, a report of the Detainee to investigate allegations of abuses of Iraqi Inquiry’s preparatory work was published, civilians by UK armed forces between March 23 months after the Justice Secretary’s 2003 and July 2009, was failing to meet its closure of an inquiry into allegations of UK obligations to uphold the right to life. The involvement in torture and other violations judge ruled that small inquiries modelled against individuals detained abroad in on inquests were needed, but rejected the counter-terrorism operations. The report set claimants’ arguments that IHAT lacked out lines of investigation for any future inquiry. independence and should be replaced by a The government announced that the matters single, public inquiry. raised by the Detainee Inquiry’s report In May 2014, the Prosecutor of the would be addressed by the parliamentary International Criminal Court reopened a Intelligence and Security Committee, rather preliminary investigation into allegations that than by an independent, public inquiry.1 The UK armed forces committed war crimes government deferred indefinitely the prospect involving systematic detainee abuse in Iraq. of any new, independent, judge-led inquiry. In November, a High Court judge ruled that Libyan renditions two Pakistani men captured by UK forces in On 30 October, the Court of Appeal ruled Iraq in 2004 and subsequently transferred that there were compelling reasons requiring to US custody in , had the right it to exercise jurisdiction over a civil claim to sue the UK government in UK courts brought by married couple Abdul Hakim for damages. Belhaj and Fatima Boudchar, who alleged In December, the Al-Sweady Inquiry, that they were victims of rendition, torture established in 2009 to examine allegations and other ill-treatment in 2004 by the US and that British soldiers tortured or ill-treated nine Libyan governments, with the knowledge and Iraqi detainees after a battle near the town co-operation of UK officials.2 The government of Majar al-Kabir in southern Iraq in 2004, appealed against the decision. published its findings. The report found Diplomatic assurances the most serious allegations to be “wholly The government continued to rely on without foundation”, but acknowledged that unreliable and unenforceable diplomatic detainee handling practices had been “less

390 Amnesty International Report 2014/15 than satisfactory” and “developed on an ad The Historical Enquiries Team (HET), hoc basis”, and compounded by the lack of mandated since 2006 to re-examine all guidance for soldiers. deaths attributed to the conflict in Northern Ireland, was closed following wide criticism. COUNTER-TERROR AND SECURITY In July 2013, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate In October 2013, the Supreme Court stated its of Constabulary had found that the HET concern about the excessively broad statutory reviewed cases involving the state with less definition of terrorism in the case of R v. rigour than non-state cases. The transfer, Gul, referring to reports by announced in December, of some of HET’s Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation. In February work to a Legacy Investigative Branch within 2014, however, the High Court held that the the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) decision to stop, question and detain David prompted concerns over the independence of Miranda, the spouse of journalist Glenn future case reviews. Greenwald, in August 2013 under Schedule Positive reforms to the Office of the Police 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 had been Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI) lawful and proportionate. The decision was continued throughout 2013 and 2014. A appealed against. The Independent Reviewer 30 September report by Criminal Justice reiterated his call for narrowing the definitions Inspection Northern Ireland found that of “terrorism” and “terrorism-related activity” confidence in the OPONI’s investigation of during the year. historical cases had been “fully restored”. In October, the prosecution of UK national However, on the same day, cuts to the collapsed. He was on trial for OPONI’s budget led to a loss of 25% of seven terrorism-related offences relating to staff working on legacy cases, and serious Syria. The prosecution offered no evidence at concerns about the OPONI’s ability to trial after receiving new information, allegedly complete “legacy” casework. from the British security service MI5. The trial Under-resourcing and delays to Northern judge formally entered “not guilty” judgments Ireland’s coronial inquest system remained on all seven charges.3 endemic. In a November judgment, the Lord In November, the government introduced Chief Justice of Northern Ireland noted that the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill as the legislative failure to remedy deficiencies in fast-tracked legislation. The proposed powers the inquest system were preventing coroners included restricting the travel of people from exercising their role satisfactorily and suspected of involvement in terrorism-related expeditiously. activity, including exclusion of certain UK The government remained unwilling residents who refuse to agree to government- to establish public inquiries into legacy imposed conditions on their return home. It cases. In September 2013, the Northern also added powers under existing Terrorism Ireland Secretary refused to establish an Prevention and Investigation Measures, inquiry into the August 1998 bombing by restricting the liberty, movement and activities the Real IRA armed group in Omagh. The of people believed to pose a threat to government continued to refuse to establish national security. an independent inquiry into the 1989 killing of Belfast solicitor Patrick Finucane.4 NORTHERN IRELAND In September 2013, inter-party talks The mechanisms and institutions mandated chaired by former US diplomat Richard to address “legacy” (conflict-related or Haass began with the aim of reaching historical) human rights violations in previous agreement on parades and protests; the use decades operated in a fragmented and of flags, symbols and emblems; and how incremental manner. to deal with “the past”. The talks ended

Amnesty International Report 2014/15 391 without agreement on 31 December 2013. Amnesty International and other NGOs The draft Haass proposals detailed two about the UK authorities’ communications mechanisms: an Historical Investigation surveillance practices. The IPT found that Unit (HIU) and an Independent Commission the authorities’ surveillance practices were in for Information Retrieval (ICIR).5 Further accordance with the law. Significant portions talks, which concluded in December 2014, of the proceedings were held in secret.7 agreed in principle to take forward the Haass proposals of an HIU and ICIR, although REFUGEES’ AND MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS details of finance, resourcing, timeframes and In January, the government announced that it legislation were not completely resolved at the would provide resettlement for 500 vulnerable end of the year. Syrian refugees. The Vulnerable Persons In June, the Irish television channel RTÉ Relocation scheme prioritizes assisting broadcast newly discovered archival material survivors of torture and violence, women and suggesting that the UK had misled the children at risk and those in need of medical European Court of Human Rights in Ireland care, as identified by UNHCR, the UN v. UK, over the use of five torture techniques refugee agency. used by British security forces in Northern In March, an inquest jury returned a Ireland in 1971-1972. In December, the verdict of unlawful killing in the death in 2010 Irish government sought a reopening of the of Jimmy Mubenga, an Angolan national case by the European Court. Lawyers for who died after being restrained by private the victims also called for an independent, security guards on board a plane deporting human rights-compliant investigation in the him to Angola. In December, the three guards UK into the new evidence.6 involved in his removal were cleared of manslaughter. SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS In July, the High Court found that the Access to abortion in Northern Ireland long-term immigration detention of a Guinean remained limited to exceptional cases where woman constituted inhuman and degrading the life or health of the woman or girl was at treatment. It was the sixth such court finding risk. The Abortion Act 1967 did not apply to since 2011. Northern Ireland. In October, the Department In December, the Court of Appeal found of Justice opened a consultation on legislating the policy underpinning the UK’s “detained for access to abortion in cases of rape, incest fast-track” asylum process to be unlawful and and fatal foetal anomaly. upheld the High Court’s earlier July ruling that inadequate access to legal representation SURVEILLANCE rendered the process unlawful. In July, the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act entered into force, extending TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS the reach of the authorities’ interception In June, the government published draft powers by providing potentially wide-ranging legislation to address slavery and human extraterritorial effects to UK interception trafficking in England and Wales. The Modern warrants. Sufficient safeguards were not in Slavery Bill was amended to include UK-wide place to ensure that such surveillance was provisions, including the establishment of an authorized and carried out in conformity anti-slavery commissioner. with the rights to privacy and freedom Also in June, the anti-trafficking legislation of expression. was presented to the Northern Ireland In December, the Investigatory Powers Assembly. Similar legislation was presented to Tribunal (IPT) made public its open judgment the Scottish Parliament in December. in the first part of a complaint brought by

392 Amnesty International Report 2014/15 commission trial proceedings continued in 1. United Kingdom: Joint NGO letter (EUR 45/005/2014) a handful of cases. Concern about the use www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR45/005/2014/en of prolonged isolation in state and federal 2. UK: Court of Appeal allows lawsuit to proceed in case of illegal prisons and the excessive use of force by rendition to torture in Libya (EUR 45/010/2014) police continued. Thirty-three men and two www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR45/010/2014/en women were executed during the year. 3. UK: Collapsed prosecution of Moazzam Begg (EUR 45/009/2014) www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR45/009/2014/en BACKGROUND 4. United Kingdom/Northern Ireland: Still no public inquiry twenty-five The USA appeared before three UN treaty years after the killing of Patrick Finucane (EUR 45/003/2014) bodies in 2014. In April, the Human Rights www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR45/003/2014/en Committee criticized the USA on a range of 5. United Kingdom/Northern Ireland: Haass proposals on dealing with issues - including the lack of accountability the past (EUR 45/001/2014) for abuses in the counter-terrorism context, www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR45/001/2014/en solitary confinement in prisons, racial 6. UK/Ireland: Landmark ‘hooded men’ torture case should be reopened disparities in the criminal justice system, (News story) targeted killings by drones, excessive use www.amnesty.org/en/news/ukireland-landmark-hooded-men-torture- of force by law enforcement officials, the case-should-be-re-opened-2014-11-24 treatment of migrants and the death penalty.1 7. UK court decision on government mass surveillance: ‘Trust us’ isn't In August, the Committee on the Elimination enough (Press release) of Racial Discrimination also made numerous www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/uk-court-decision- recommendations to the USA. In November, government-mass-surveillance-trust-us-isnt-enough-2014-12 the Committee against Torture’s concluding observations similarly covered a range of issues.2

IMPUNITY UNITED STATES In August, President Obama acknowledged that the USA used torture in its response OF AMERICA to the 9/11 attacks. He stated that torture was carried out under “some” of the United States of America “enhanced interrogation techniques” used Head of state and government: Barack Obama in the programme, not just the one known as “waterboarding” (mock execution by interrupted drowning). Nevertheless, the President Obama acknowledged that President remained silent on accountability torture had been carried out following the and redress, reflecting the USA’s continuing 11 September 2001 attacks (9/11) under refusal to meet its international obligations a secret detention programme authorized on these issues. Neither did he make any by his predecessor and operated by the reference to enforced disappearance, a crime Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). However, under international law to which most, if not accountability and remedy for the crimes all, of those held in the secret programme under international law committed in were subjected, some of them for years.3 that programme remained absent. The In April, the Senate Select Committee declassified summary of a Senate report into on Intelligence (SSCI) voted to submit the programme was released in December. for declassification the summary of its Scores of detainees remained in indefinite report into the CIA’s secret detention and military detention at the US naval base at interrogation programme operated between Guantánamo Bay in Cuba, while military 2002 and 2008. Release of the summary

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