But I don’t want comfort
Sunday, March 19, 2006

In one of Alan Moore's lesser known masterpieces, Skizz, the eponymous hero is an extraterrestial crashlanded on modern-day Earth, captured by the authorities and subjected to terrifying experiments. Cornered, terrified and at the mercy of barbarians, Skizz, in his halting, hastily-learned English tells his captors, "Yuuu urrr veee aylens". You are the aliens.

"You tell him from me," says Van Owen, leader of the scientific team, "not here we're not. Not here."

This came back to me today after reading in The Observer that "[s]ix international terrorism suspects in Britain are negotiating a return to Algeria because they can no longer withstand the 'mental torture' imposed by the government."

'Here we are not tortured physically but mentally we are tortured. I don't feel human,' said the 39-year-old who can only be identified as 'A'. 'If I'm not going to have my freedom in this country, then I have to go back,' said the man whom Home Office lawyers have described as being involved in 'creating the climate, the motivation and the opportunity that led to the [London bombing] events in July'. 'A' said, if the Special Immigration Appeals Commission does not grant 'unconditional freedom' after an appeal this July, he will return to Algeria.

Now, it's quite possible that this man is the Devil. For all we know he may have been plotting to napalm a nursery school, although being the apologist for terrorism that I am, "creating the climate, the motivation and the opportunity that led to the [London bombing] events in July" sounds more like thoughtcrime to me than filling coffee tins with nails. Whatever the story, the authorities apparently don't have the evidence, or the balls, to prosecute.

But aren't we supposed to be the good guys? Y'know, better than those who blow themselves up on tube trains and fly planes into buildings? Let's not forget that the Foreign Office's own profile of Algeria says:

Alongside the violence committed by the Islamic armed groups over the last decade are numerous documented allegations of human rights abuses by the security forces and state-armed militias, including the enforced disappearances of at least 4,000 people, abductions, torture and extra-judicial killings.

"A"'s control order stipulates he must "stay indoors for 22 hours a day and places very tough restrictions on visitors and access to the outside world."

According to The Independent:

"A" telephoned the Algerian embassy to open negotiations after it emerged that ministers were trying to broker an agreement with the Algerian government that would allow the UK to deport suspects there. That deal, which would involve the Algerians promising not to ill-treat the deportees, has stalled.

Deals with torturers. Enforcing conditions on suspects, suspects mind you, that make them say, "sod it, I'll take my chances with the savages."

But you tell him from me, not here we're not. Not here.


4 Comments:

On March 19, 2006 6:07 PM, Blogger Devil's Kitchen said...

Now, it's quite possible that this man is the Devil.

Oy!

DK  


On March 20, 2006 11:45 AM, Anonymous Luis Enrique said...

Justin,

I have a half-asleep 6.30am Today programme memory of recently hearing that deportations to Algeria have not yet gone ahead because the UK is insiting on being able to check on the deportees (i.e. that they have not been tortured) and the Algerians are refusing. Is this just wishful thinking on my part, or does this ring a bell with you? I can't dig out anything from a quick Google.  


On March 20, 2006 2:47 PM, Blogger Justin said...

Alright, Luis. I'm not sure about the Today programme but there was something on Channel 4 News last week about the negotiations between the UK and Algerian governments over the Memorandum of Understanding having stalled because the Algerians won't allow monitors in from outside to verify that the agreement is being adhered to.

You can watch the report here.  


On March 20, 2006 5:00 PM, Anonymous Luis Enrique said...

Thanks, that's it.

I'm going to take that as a positive* - you know I still try to cling on the belief that some people are trying to do the right thing in all this.

* no comments about grasping at straws, please.  


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