Secret surveillance networks

In October 2018, Privacy International submitted to the public consultation on the “Consolidated Guidance to Intelligence Officers and Service Personnel on the Detention and Interviewing of Detainees Overseas, and on the Passing and Receipt of Intelligence Relating to Detainees” (“Consolidated Guidance”) held by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (“IPCO”).

Privacy International’s submission addresses the portions of the Consolidated Guidance on “the Passing and Receipt of Intelligence Relating to Detainees.” Our work on intelligence sharing has revealed that in most countries around the world, the public remains in the dark regarding arrangements to share intelligence. Moreover, in most countries, those arrangements lack the necessary safeguards to ensure that intelligence sharing does not violate or facilitate the violation of human rights, including the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (“CIDT”). The UK is no exception. In a report published this year, the Intelligence and Security Committee (“ISC”) of Parliament documented hundreds of cases where UK officials shared or received information with foreign partners despite knowledge that those partners were committing or likely to commit torture or CIDT.

Our submission proceeds in several parts. First, it provides background on the relationship between intelligence sharing and serious human rights abuses as well as the documented relationship between UK intelligence sharing and such abuses. Second, it discusses why the scope of the Consolidated Guidance is inappropriately narrow with respect to intelligence sharing. Third, it explains why the Consolidated Guidance provides insufficient assistance to UK agencies when considering the human rights implications of intelligence sharing, including its relationship to torture or CIDT. Fourth, it reviews why the “assurance process” as it pertains to intelligence sharing is inadequate. Fifth, and finally, it discusses the need for an establishment of a notification requirement.

A new Privacy International report based on an international collaborative investigation carried out by 40 NGOs in 42 countries has found alarming weaknesses in the oversight arrangements that are supposed to govern the sharing of intelligence between state intelligence agencies, including in the UK. Privacy International urges governments to enact urgent reforms and improve public understanding about the scope of intelligence sharing and the safeguards and oversight currently in place.

In this submission, Privacy International provides the Committee with their observations to the written replies of the Pakistani government and with additional, up to date information to that contained in the brieing submitted to the Committee in advance of the adoption of the list of issues in 2016.