Product Code Database
The five techniques, also known as deep interrogation, are a group of interrogation methods developed by the United Kingdom during the 20th century and are currently regarded as a form of torture. Originally developed by British forces in a variety of 20th-century conflicts, they are most notable for being applied to detainees in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The five collective methods are Stress position, hooding, Sensory overload, deprivation of sleep, and Starvation. These techniques were implemented with the addition of continuous beatings in between and during the British army's torture of the detainees
They were first used in Northern Ireland in 1971 as part of Operation Demetrius – the mass arrest and internment of people ostensibly suspected of involvement with the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). Out of those arrested, fourteen were selected not for any suspected involvement but purely on the basis of physical condition and subjected to a programme of "deep interrogation" using the five techniques. This took place at Shackleton Barracks, a secret interrogation centre in Northern Ireland. For seven days, when not being interrogated, the detainees were kept hooding and handcuffed in a cold cell and subjected to a continuous loud hissing noise. Here they were forced to stand in a stress position for many hours and were deprived of sleep, food, and drink. They were also repeatedly beaten, and some reported being kicked in the genitals, having their heads banged against walls, and being threatened with injections. The effect was prolonged pain, physical and mental exhaustion, severe anxiety, depression, hallucinations, disorientation, and repeated loss of consciousness. The Guineapigs by John McGuffin (1974, 1981). Chapter 4: "The Experiment". The Guineapigs by John McGuffin (1974, 1981). Chapter 6: "Replay". It also resulted in long-term psychological trauma. The fourteen became known as "the Hooded Men" and were the only detainees in Northern Ireland subjected to all five techniques together. Other detainees were subjected to at least one of the five techniques along with other interrogation methods. The Guineapigs by John McGuffin (1974, 1981). Chapter 9: "Down on the Killing Floor".
In 1976, the European Commission of Human Rights ruled that the five techniques amounted to torture. The case was then referred to the European Court of Human Rights. In 1978, the court ruled that the techniques were "inhuman and degrading" and breached Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights but did not amount to torture. In 2014, after new information was uncovered that showed the decision to use the five techniques in Northern Ireland in 1971–1972 had been taken by ministers, the Irish Government asked the European Court of Human Rights to review its judgement. In 2018, the Court declined.
The Court's ruling that the five techniques did not amount to torture was later internally cited by the United States to justify its own interrogation methods, "The Hooded Men – joint press release from CAJ and the Pat Finucane Centre" . Committee on the Administration of Justice. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014. which included the five techniques. "Paper trail: from Northern Ireland's hooded men to CIA's global torture". Amnesty International. 9 December 2014. Quote: "Within months, the CIA was using the "five techniques" in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world." British agents also taught the five techniques to the forces of Brazil's military dictatorship. "How the UK taught Brazil's dictators interrogation techniques". BBC News. 30 May 2014.
During the Iraq War, the illegal use of the five techniques by British service members contributed to the death of Baha Mousa. "Baha Mousa inquiry: 'Serious discipline breach' by army". BBC News. 8 September 2011. "Baha Mousa inquiry: innocent father died due to Army's failings". The Telegraph. 8 September 2011.
In 2021, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom found that the use of the five techniques amounts to torture. "Judgement – In the matter of an application by Margaret McQuillan for Judicial Review (Northern Ireland) (Nos 1, 2 and 3) In the matter of an application by Francis McGuigan for Judicial Review (Northern Ireland) (Nos 1, 2 and 3) In the matter of an application by Mary McKenna for Judicial Review (Northern Ireland) (Nos 1 and 2)" para. 186-188
The "Parker Report" held at CAIN part of ARK in collaboration with Queen's University Belfast and University of Ulster was published on 2 March 1972, and had found the five techniques to be illegal under domestic law:
On the same day (2 March 1972), the United Kingdom Prime Minister Edward Heath stated in the House of Commons:
Directives expressly prohibiting the use of the techniques, whether singly or in combination, were then issued to the security forces by the Government. These are still in force and the use of such methods by UK security forces would not be condoned by the Government.
These were referred to by the court as the five techniques. The court ruled:
On 8 February 1977, in proceedings before the ECHR, and in line with the findings of the Parker report and United Kingdom Government policy, Samuel Silkin, the Attorney General for England and Wales and Attorney General for Northern Ireland, stated that
In 2018, the European Court of Human Rights decided not to revise its judgment by six votes to one. ECtHR revision judgment on application No. 5310/71
|
|
