Debate on government policy on torture overseas
8 July 2009 (updated on 22 April 2010)
David Davis, Conservative MP for Haltemprice and Howden, introduced an adjournment debate in the Commons on Government policy on torture overseas.
- Commons Hansard: UK government policy on torture overseas
- Video and Audio: UK government policy on torture overseas
- Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry: UK legislation on genocide, torture and related offences committed abroad
- About Parliament: Adjournment debates
- Topical issues: Human rights
Mr Davis used parliamentary privilege to cite the case of Rangzieb Ahmed who was jailed for life for being an al-Qaeda planner. Mr Ahmed has an outstanding application for leave to appeal against his sentence, which means that, under normal circumstances, his case cannot be discussed publicly.
But in instances such as this, MPs can claim legal protection under the conditions of parliamentary privilege which in effect grants certain legal immunities for Members of both Houses. This allows them to perform their duties without interference from outside the House.