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Dispatches from the Dark Side: On Torture and the Death of Justice
In this set of devastating essays, Gareth Peirce analyzes the corruption of legal principles and practices in both the US and the UK that has accompanied the ‘War on Terror’. Exploring the few cases of torture that have come to light, such as those of Guantánamo detainees Shafiq Rasul and Binyam Mohamed, Peirce argues that they are evidence of a deeply entrenched culture of impunity among those investigating presumed radicals among British Muslim nationals and residents, who constitute the new suspect community in the UK.
Peirce shows that the British government has colluded in a whole range of extrajudicial activities – rendition, internment without trial, torture – and has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal its actions. Its devices for maintaining secrecy are probably more deep-rooted than those of any other comparable democracy.
If the government continues along this path, Peirce argues, it will destroy the moral and legal fabric it claims to be protecting.
Reviews
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“The great theme of her book and, arguably, her professional life too [is] that justice dies when the law is co-opted for political purposes.”
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“A timely reminder of the darker side of lawlessness in freedom's name.”
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“An antidote to the current propaganda.”
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“Coruscating.”
Blog
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Post Orlando / Post Brexit Anti-Islamophobia Reading List
Following the tragic Orlando massacre at a gay nightclub, both New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton called for a return to “the spirit of 9/12,” a reference to a dark period of racism, surveillance, and state sanctioned Islamophobia after the September 11th attacks. In the United Kingdom, instances of xenophobia and Islamophobia have reportedly surged following the EU referendum, leaving migrants and minorities, particularly Muslim women, vulnerable to attack and discrimination. As events unfold and the "Brexit" debates continue, we present a reading list of key titles that shed light on the origins of Islamophobia and ways we can organize to fight it.
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A Short History Of Haven Distribution: Sending Books To Prisoners For 20 Years
Verso is proud to continue our work with Haven Distribution, a non-profit charity distributing books to prisoners. We are committed to fight for prisoners’ rights: books should be the right of every person in this country – whether in prison or not. Luke Billingham of Haven looks back at twenty years of sending prisoners a lifeline for the Verso blog.
"Books for prisoners is a cause which has passionate advocates across the political spectrum – anarchists can see books as a source of brief and very partial liberation for those suffering under state oppression, whilst staunch conservatives can see them as a civilising influence and a tool for greater employability on release."
Haven's iconic logo was designed and provided by Clifford Harper
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Jacques Rancière: The Front National’s useful idiots
According to the philosopher Jacques Rancière, a number of so-called French ‘republican’ intellectuals have been opening the door to the Front National for some time now. In an interview with Éric Aeschimannm, Rancière shows how universalist values have been perverted to the benefit of xenophobic discourse.
