The detainees' contact with relatives and the outside world has been severely impeded. Social visits with relatives are tape-recorded and have a prison officer present despite, in some instances, a glass screen separating the detainee from visitors. Detainees stated that they were strip-searched before and after every visit.
Initially, detainees were only allowed to communicate with family members in English or through an interpreter. On one occasion, a detainee complained that his visit could not proceed unless English only was spoken because his interpreter was not being admitted to the unit as she was refusing to remove her headscarf.
As of 17 July 2002, none of those detained under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (ATCSA) had been interviewed by the UK authorities.
"The government has effectively created a shadow justice system devoid of the crucial components and safeguards present in the criminal justice system," said Livio Zilli. Amnesty International is today presenting a Memorandum to the UK Government urging it to address these deficiencies.
"The case of the Algerian Lotfi Raissi is a powerful illustration that in the search for 'suspected terrorists' innocent people can get caught up - violating their rights and those of their relatives to liberty and livelihood," said Livio Zilli.
Initially, detainees were only allowed to communicate with family members in English or through an interpreter. On one occasion, a detainee complained that his visit could not proceed unless English only was spoken because his interpreter was not being admitted to the unit as she was refusing to remove her headscarf.
As of 17 July 2002, none of those detained under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (ATCSA) had been interviewed by the UK authorities.
"The government has effectively created a shadow justice system devoid of the crucial components and safeguards present in the criminal justice system," said Livio Zilli. Amnesty International is today presenting a Memorandum to the UK Government urging it to address these deficiencies.
"The case of the Algerian Lotfi Raissi is a powerful illustration that in the search for 'suspected terrorists' innocent people can get caught up - violating their rights and those of their relatives to liberty and livelihood," said Livio Zilli.