 GENEVA: A UN expert on torture and human rights on Tuesday expressed concern over Britain's plan to deport hardline Islamists to their countries of origin on the basis of assurances that they will not be abused or tortured there. Manfred Nowak, the UN special rapporteur on torture, said the deportation plans - part of a crackdown announced by Prime Minister Tony Blair in the aftermath of the London bomb attacks - could breach international human rights rules.
| I take it there aren't international human rights rules against blowing people up? |
In a statement, Nowak piously condemned all acts of terrorism, and extended his sympathy to the British government and the families of the victims of the July 7 London bombings.
| That, and about $3.95 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks... |
But he added: "The fact that such assurances are sought shows in itself that the sending country perceives a serious risk of the deportee being subjected to torture or ill treatment upon arrival in the receiving country. Diplomatic assurances are not an appropriate tool to eradicate this risk."
"Then what is?"
"Nothin' I can think of. Guess you gotta keep 'em!" |
| "And make sure they are receiving proper benefits from Her Majesty's Government. We don't want them all impoverished and in despair, turning to terror when they just can't take the injustice of their brothers in Palestine!" |
| A diplomatic assurance that a mook won't be tortured isn't good enough. A 'cross our hearts' diplomatic assurance that mad mullahs won't develop nuclear weapons, however, is good enough for all right-thinking people. |
Ten foreigners were rounded up earlier this month in raids in London and other parts of Britain, and have been slated for deportation. They are said to include reputed Al Qaeda "ambassador" Abu Qatada, 44, from Jordan. |