§ Lord Dholakiaasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied with the protection offered to asylum seekers from Sri Lanka with a history of torture in the light of the report published by the Medical Foundation, Caring for the Victims of Torture. [HL3083]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonAll asylum caseworkers receive training and instructions in dealing with applicants who are victims of torture. Any evidence of torture will be taken very seriously and caseworkers are aware of the need for sensitivity when interviewing victims of torture, as well as the United Kingdom's obligations to protect victims of torture. If there are grounds to believe that a person will, if returned, be 151WA subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, it would be inappropriate to remove them. In such cases, if the applicant does not qualify for asylum, a grant of exceptional leave would be considered.
Previous Medical Foundation reports have been referred to, and drawn upon, in the Home Office country assessment used by caseworkers since October 1998, and also in the latest assessment of April 2000. We are carefully considering the information provided in the latest Medical Foundation report, and will continue to engage in constructive discussions with all parties who have information on conditions in Sri Lanka.