There is pressure for an Airport authority in Northern Ireland to become the first in Europe to ban so called "extraordinary rendition flights".
Management at City of Derry Airport have confirmed that the matter is under discussion following talks between the publicly-owned airport and rights group, Amnesty International.
Initial suspicions that the Airport may have been one of a large number in various European countries used for the torture flights were investigated by Amnesty International. Subsequently the international human rights body was able to give the Airport the 'all clear'.
Albeit that the Airport is comparatively small in terms of the scale of CIA managed renditions flights uncovered by a European investigation any move to ban these type of flights could have huge significance as it would stimulate calls in other European jurisdictions for similar bans.
Meanwhile, in a related development (see below) the Celtic League, which asked Irish Police to investigate allegations that torture flights used Shannon Airport, has asked PSNI Chief Hugh Orde why his police force 'sat on their thumbs' over the Derry rendition allegations.
"Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde OBE PSNI Headquarters. Brooklyn 65 Knock Road Belfast BT5 6LE
Dear Chief Constable,
I read recently that a Northern Ireland airport may be the first in Europe to ban the CIA's controversial "extraordinary rendition" flights.
This follows allegations that Derry Airport was used by US based aircraft for the process of "extraordinary rendition" which I am sure you are aware is a polite term for the kidnap or forcible removal of persons against their will between jurisdictions.
I am aware from correspondence that we have had with the Irish Justice Ministry and An Garda Síochána that they carried out a formal investigation of similar allegations made in relation to Shannon Airport. Can you advise if the PSNI have undertaken any investigation into these very serious allegations?
I am aware that the Rights organisation, Amnesty International, did investigate the allegations and subsequently averred that they were groundless. However, whilst having the greatest respect for the work of Amnesty and the probity of its investigations surely it is incumbent on the relevant police service to conduct its own enquiry.
Yours sincerely"
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
21/03/07
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