Liberty responds to Government apology for treatment of Abdel Hakim Belhaj

The Government has issued a formal apology to Abdel Hakim Belhaj and his wife, Fatima Boudchar, for the UK’s role in their abduction and rendition to Libya in 2004. Mr Belhaj was tortured and detained in Libya for six years.

Martha Spurrier, Director of Liberty, said: “The Government’s unreserved apology for the unimaginable suffering Mr Belhaj and Ms Boudchar have endured is welcome. Justice was delayed, but at least it hasn’t been denied.

“David Cameron promised a full judge-led inquiry into our country’s involvement in torture and rendition in 2010 – but it is still yet to materialise. Until torture survivors and the British public know the full extent of the UK’s failings, ministers cannot claim to have learned the lessons to prevent this ever happening again.”