The Celtic League General Secretary has once again raised concerns with the Irish government about the use of Shannon airport by CIA planes allegedly involved in extra-ordinary rendition flights.
These flights which involve the transport of persons illegally detained by the US government have been condemned by the Council of Europe(CoE). In addition a European Parliament report of February 2007 said the CIA has conducted 1,245 flights, many of them to destinations where suspects could face torture, in violation of article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture. A large majority of the European Union Parliament endorsed the report's conclusion.
The CoE asserts that up to 100 people have been kidnapped by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on EU territory and 'rendered' to other countries, often after having transited through secret detention centres ("black sites") used by the CIA in Europe. Many of these transit flights have used airport facilities in Ireland and Scotland.
"Minister Brian Lenihan TD Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform 94 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
04/12/07
Dear Minister Lenihan
Shannon Rendition Flights
We are concerned by reports that are emerging that on Monday 3rd December a CIA controlled Learjet reg no N71PG refuelled at Shannon airport. As we understand it two other CIA planes have also refuelled at the airport in just over a month.
In our previous letter to the Minister of Transport, Noel Dempsey, dated 01/07/07, (for which we have not yet received a reply), we asked if he could explain how Irish Government involvement in the so called US rendition flights has compromised RoI's policy of neutrality in recent years.
The use of any of the RoI airports by plane's belonging to foreign Government's that are suspected of carrying prisoners who have been tortured, mistreated or who have been threatened with such, should be investigated without impunity. By refusing to investigate such crimes the police authorities are complicit in the crimes themselves and are renegading on the RoI's own Criminal Justice (UN Convention Against Torture) Act 2002.
The US rendition flights, by passing through Shannon airport, are in flagrant disregard of this Act. The human rights abuses that are suspected of being inflicted on these prisoners should not be tolerated by the police or the Government.
We look forward to receiving your response on this issue and your assurances that such suspicions in the future will be fully investigated.
Yours sincerely
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot"
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Council of Europe report at:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
05/12/07
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