The enduring impact of US and UK torture in the Middle East

The failure to address past violations in the ‘war on terror’ has enabled UK and US-backed torture practices to re-emerge, this time in Syria, sparking outrage and calls for accountability.

The US and UK’s complicity in torture and detention practices has once again come under scrutiny following revelations of systematic abuses and preventable deaths of detainees in northeast Syria. The region’s autonomous authorities, notably the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have been accused of overseeing a harrowing system of arbitrary and indefinite detention, with the US government playing a central role in its creation and maintenance, while the UK has also provided funding.

Amnesty International has warned of widespread torture and inhumane conditions in the detention facilities, with over 56,000 individuals, including children, ensnared in the network. The conditions in these camps have been likened to a new Guantanamo, with reports of brutal torture methods including beatings, stress positions, and electric shocks.

Despite the lessons learned from past violations in Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, the lack of accountability has allowed these practices to resurface. The US continues to incarcerate and abuse detainees in Guantanamo Bay, with President Joe Biden refusing to close the detention camp. The UK’s involvement in torture practices has also been highlighted, with British intelligence and security personnel supplying questions and intelligence to the CIA despite awareness of ongoing abuses.

Calls for accountability have been growing, with survivors seeking redress for the mistreatment they have endured. Legal pressure and advocacy groups are pushing for lasting change and accountability for the victims of these abuses. It is essential to address the past violations not only for justice for the victims but also to prevent such abuses from happening again in the future.

As the world grapples with the re-emergence of torture practices in Syria, it is clear that a real reckoning with the past is necessary to ensure that such atrocities are not repeated. Strong political leadership and consistent efforts to uphold laws and enforce accountability are crucial in preventing the normalization of torture in the name of national security.

The revelations in northeast Syria serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of failing to address past violations and the urgent need for action to prevent the perpetuation of torture practices. It is imperative that the international community takes a stand against such abuses and works towards a future where human rights are upheld and respected.