The United Kingdom went before the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva earlier this week, as it faced criticism over its role in extraordinary rendition, torture and the removal of asylum seekers amongst other human rights issues.

Amongst the topics raised were the UK’s role in renditions to Libya, torture in Iraq and the deportation of asylum seekers to Sri Lanka, where they faced torture.

The United Nations panel grilled the UK delegation, with Chinese diplomat Xuexian Wang criticising Britain’s ‘non-answers’, and Italian committee member, Alessio Bruni, commenting,

"There is always in your rules a sort of escape clause. And a clever torturer can always hide under those escape clauses".

The UN special rapporteur on torture Juan Méndez, also went on to say,

"There are allegations about participation in extraordinary rendition, and deportation and extradition to places where people might be at risk of torture. All of these things – and the two wars – raise a number of concerns".

However, he also praised the UK’s engagement with the United Nations, noting,

"The UK wants to be, and is, an important international actor, and the government takes its responsibilities, as far as my mandate is concerned, seriously. They always respond. They don't necessarily agree with me, but they respect the mandate".

See the report from the Guardian here.