Liberty demands UK action over CIA torture flights
Press Release
Liberty demands Government halt CIA "torture" flight stops in Britain
Human rights group calls for USA assurances on extraordinary rendition
30 Nov 2005
Today Liberty called on Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to seek assurances in the next 14 days from the USA that it is not using UK airports to transport suspects to countries that torture. Liberty fears that the UK is in breach of domestic and international law by allowing CIA "extraordinary rendition" flights to land and re-fuel in Britain.
Director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti said:
"It is troubling that our Government chases Algeria for anti-torture assurances but cowers from confronting the USA on the same issue. It is the abhorrence of torture that distinguishes all democrats from dictators and terrorists. What can we say to those who perpetrate atrocities in London and around the world if we allow ourselves to become complicit in the cheapening of human life?"
Liberty also requested that the Police Chief Constables of Bedfordshire, Cambridge, Dorset, Essex, Hampshire, the Metropolitan Police, the Ministry of Defence Police, Suffolk, Sussex, Thames Valley, and West Midlands investigate suspected extraordinary rendition flights at their local airports. They too have been asked to respond within 14 days.
Liberty's call to action against extraordinary rendition marks the launch of its "No torture, no compromise" campaign which seeks to make the UK government honour its positive obligation to stop torture and ill-treatment.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. A Guardian article published on 12 September 2005 revealed that airports in Biggin Hill, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brize Norton, Farnborough, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Mildenhall, Northolt, and Stansted have allowed CIA or CIA-chartered jets to land temporarily. The article also says that these aircraft had flown into the UK approximately 210 times since September 2001.
2. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)'s "extraordinary rendition" programme removes suspects to third party countries for interrogation without the approval of the courts.
3. An influential group of MPs led by Andrew Tyrie, Conservative MP for Chichester, have announced plans to investigate claims that CIA planes have been touching down at British airfields carrying terrorist suspects. Link
Liberty demands Government halt CIA "torture" flight stops in Britain
Human rights group calls for USA assurances on extraordinary rendition
30 Nov 2005
Today Liberty called on Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to seek assurances in the next 14 days from the USA that it is not using UK airports to transport suspects to countries that torture. Liberty fears that the UK is in breach of domestic and international law by allowing CIA "extraordinary rendition" flights to land and re-fuel in Britain.
Director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti said:
"It is troubling that our Government chases Algeria for anti-torture assurances but cowers from confronting the USA on the same issue. It is the abhorrence of torture that distinguishes all democrats from dictators and terrorists. What can we say to those who perpetrate atrocities in London and around the world if we allow ourselves to become complicit in the cheapening of human life?"
Liberty also requested that the Police Chief Constables of Bedfordshire, Cambridge, Dorset, Essex, Hampshire, the Metropolitan Police, the Ministry of Defence Police, Suffolk, Sussex, Thames Valley, and West Midlands investigate suspected extraordinary rendition flights at their local airports. They too have been asked to respond within 14 days.
Liberty's call to action against extraordinary rendition marks the launch of its "No torture, no compromise" campaign which seeks to make the UK government honour its positive obligation to stop torture and ill-treatment.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. A Guardian article published on 12 September 2005 revealed that airports in Biggin Hill, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brize Norton, Farnborough, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Mildenhall, Northolt, and Stansted have allowed CIA or CIA-chartered jets to land temporarily. The article also says that these aircraft had flown into the UK approximately 210 times since September 2001.
2. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)'s "extraordinary rendition" programme removes suspects to third party countries for interrogation without the approval of the courts.
3. An influential group of MPs led by Andrew Tyrie, Conservative MP for Chichester, have announced plans to investigate claims that CIA planes have been touching down at British airfields carrying terrorist suspects. Link
posted by exoplanet at 9:31 PM
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