Dangerous Deals: Europe’s reliance on ‘diplomatic Assurances’ against torture

Preventing torture is a fundamental obligation of every state. States are not only obliged to eliminate torture at home, but they must also refuse to forcibly return people to countries where torture is practised. Yet many European countries have transferred people to countries acknowledged as places where they risk facing serious human rights violations. This report highlights key cases and initiatives regarding the disturbing use of diplomatic assurances as a counter-terrorism tool; the role of the courts in the process; and continuing campaigns to end their use.

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