UK: UN committee concerned about deaths in custody
01 November 1998
Barely two weeks after the death of another black man in a police cell the United Nations Committee Against Torture has expressed "concern" at the number of "deaths in police custody". The latest victim, a 57-year old man who was arrested for allegedly being drunk and incapable, died at Plumstead police station on November 2.
The Geneva-based Committee Against Torture, whose findings are based on evidence from the UK government as well as civil liberties groups, raised as a "subject of concern":
"...the number of deaths in police custody and the apparent failure of the State party [the UK] to provide an effective investigative mechanism to deal with allegations of police and prison authorities' abuse."
The Committee's concerns reflect points made in a joint submission from INQUEST and Liberty, which drew attention to the disproportionate number of black deaths in custody. Their submission also highlighted concerns about the inquest system and the nature of the deaths as well as the lack of training and accountability of officials involved in unlawful killings. The government does not need to respond to the criticisms until it goes before the Committee in 2001, but INQUEST co-director, Helen Shaw, called on the Home Secretary to:
"Use this opportunity to initiate an independent review of the entire process of investigation following deaths in custody to examine the role of the police and the prison service, the Police Complaints Authority, the Coroner's inquest system and the Crown Prosecution Service."
Police Complaints Authority press release 3.11.98; INQUEST press release 19.11.98; United Nations Committee Against Torture issues conclusions and recommendations on reports of the United Kingdom and Hungary: press release (HR/CAT/98/42) 19.11.98.