Torture claims at Guantanamo

Madam, - Seán Love of Amnesty International (January 13th) invites the UK government to investigate specific torture allegations…

Madam, - Seán Love of Amnesty International (January 13th) invites the UK government to investigate specific torture allegations against the US authorities at Guantanamo Bay.

Where power politics clash with truth or justice, which prevails? In the instance an issue, the last thing either ally - UK or US wants to do is embarrass the other. Besides, neither has an impeccable human rights record. Iraqi prisoners in custody have perished at the hands of both. In any case, natural justice prohibits anybody acting as judge in his/her own cause.

Your correspondent, however, wisely cautions against "legitimate governments flouting the law". John Locke (1690) insightfully observed: "Where law ends, tyranny begins". - Yours, etc.,

J.A. BARNWELL, St Patrick's Road, Dublin 9.