ECtHR will not reconsider decision to reject revision of Hooded Men judgment

In March, the ECtHR dismissed the Government’s application to revise Ireland v United Kingdom, in which the court found that the 14 men were subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment but not torture.

The revision was sought after the Government received a large number of documents in 2014 which had not been disclosed by the UK government at the time of the original hearing.

The Government said in June that it would appeal the ECtHR decision.

However, a panel of five judges has now decided against referring the case to the Grand Chamber for a final ruling.

The decision has been met with disappointment from human rights groups.

Fiona Crowley, Amnesty International Ireland’s research and legal manager, said: “Amnesty International still considers that the ‘hooded men’ were tortured.

“While today’s decision is disappointing, Amnesty recalls that the Chamber decision in March was not a finding that the ‘five techniques’ fall short of torture by today’s standards.

“States which have used the 1978 decision to justify torture can find no comfort or support in this decision. The March decision was on a revision request. If this case were heard afresh by the Court today, we are confident that what was done to these men would be deemed torture.

“Amnesty International again commends the Irish Government for persisting in its efforts to help these men, and the families of the men who have since died, to have their rights to truth and justice vindicated.

“In 1971, Ireland took a brave, unprecedented step when bringing the case against the UK. In seeking a revision and then seeking to appeal to the Grand Chamber, Ireland has stood in defence of the absolute prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment.”