Because the Irish Government have signed international agreements it is mandated to investigate allegations of torture, charge and imprison those responsible and those who assisted torture.
In Ireland, that could mean not only The Heavy Gang, but jailers, civil servants, politicians and ex- and serving government ministers.
No wonder the government resist holding an impartial public inquiry.
NO TORTURE
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. (Art 5 UN Declaration of Human Rights.)
NO COMPLICITY IN TORTURE
Each State Party shall ensure that all acts of torture are offences under its criminal law.
The same shall apply to an attempt to commit torture and to an act by any person which constitutes complicity or participation in torture.
Each State Party shall make these offences punishable by appropriate penalties which take into account their grave nature.
(Article 4 OHCHR– UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.)
ARREST GARDAI & MINISTERS
…any State Party in whose territory a person alleged to have committed any offence referred to in article 4 is present shall take him into custody or take other legal measures to ensure his presence…
Such State shall immediately make a preliminary inquiry into the facts. (Article 6 OHCHR)
INVESTIGATE
Each State Party shall ensure that its competent authorities proceed to a prompt and impartial investigation, wherever there is reasonable ground to believe that an act of torture has been committed in any territory under its jurisdiction. (Article 12 OHCHR )
