§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they have taken to fulfil the obligations imposed upon the United Kingdom as a party to the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984) and, in particular, to comply with Article 15 of the convention by ensuring that any statement which is established to have been made as a result of torture shall not be invoked as evidence in any proceedings, except against a person accused of torture as evidence that the statement was made. [HL4501]
54WA
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)Details of the Government's actions to fulfil the United Kingdom's obligations under the convention are given in the United Kingdom's 4th Periodic Report under the convention, which was submitted to the United Nations in November 2003. The report can be accessed athttp://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/ffl2cfd554742700c1256edf00559e29?Opendocument.
The Government unreservedly condemn the use of torture and have made it an important part of their foreign policy to pursue its eradication worldwide. The Government are not aware of any proceedings in a UK court in which any statement which is established to have been made as a result of torture has been invoked as evidence, except against a person accused of torture.