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11 June 1998 Edition

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Back issue: RUC again accused of torture

The Crown is accused once again of brutality against political suspects, particularly in the Royal Ulster Constabulary interrogation centre in Castlereagh, by Amnesty International. The organisation's report was presented to the British government on 26 May and asked for a public inquiry into RUC interrogation methods.

Amnesty International also decided from its investigations reports that there was a prima facie case of the use of brutality against members of the Garda Siochana and urged a public sworn inquiry, only to be brushed aside by Leinster House Justice Minister Collins who, in opposition, had demanded such an inquiry.

It may be significant that Amnesty follows the pattern set by Strasbourg, which found the Crown guilty of every brutality but torture. Amnesty avoids calling a spade a spade; torture, a la Strasbourg model, is reduced to ``brutality'' or ``physical and mental abuse'' or just ``ill treatment''. It does sound more civilised, as befitting a Crown.

According to Amnesty its investigators - two doctors, a lawyer and a researcher - there was institutional brutality during interrogation in all 78 cases investigated.

The report also found evidence of assault of prisoners in custody; lack of access of suspects to lawyers; degradation and humiliation of suspects; and unsatisfactory methods of having RUC officers investigated.

An Phoblacht 10 June 1978


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