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<p>The Government unreservedly condemns the use of torture and we remain fully committed
to our obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, including
the UN Convention Against Torture.</p><p> </p><p>The Overseas Operations (Service
Personnel and Veterans) Bill will not deprive victims of torture and ill-treatment
of their right to redress in the Civil Courts. They will still be able to bring claims
for personal injury or death for up to six years from either the date of the incident,
or from the date of knowledge. The six-year time limit is considered to be a reasonable
timeframe for claimants to gather the necessary evidence to bring a claim. The Government
believes that the prompt determination of civil claims by the courts will benefit
both victims and the Ministry of Defence as a defendant in such claims; the later
a claim is brought, the more likely it is that witnesses' recollections will fade,
making it difficult for the victim to pursue a claim and for the defendant to properly
defend the claim.</p>
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