MEPs call for redress of torture flights wrongs (Ilford South Liberal Democrats)

Ilford South Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

MEPs call for redress of torture flights wrongs

December 17, 2008 4:51 PM
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

MEPs will today call for an end to what a report by the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee describes as a 'high number of violations' in EU countries of the European human rights convention.

The report includes a specific demand for a frank response and pledge of 'never again' by EU states to the European Parliament's 2007 report on 'extraordinary rendition', The report found that up to a dozen European countries colluded with CIA kidnap, torture and secret prisons in the 'war on terror'.

Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat European Justice and Human Rights Spokeswoman, said:

"Last week saw 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It would be an apt tribute to that anniversary if EU member states which helped stain the West's moral reputation now came clean and promised steps to ensure that they will now fully uphold international law in dealing with terrorist suspects.

"Revelations are bound to come out of Washington with the end of the Bush era. The US Senate has already reported that Donald Rumsfeld was directly responsible for torture and other cruel interrogation methods like 'waterboarding'. European capitals will not be able to keep their dirty secrets much longer.

"A start must be made to right some of those wrongs by helping President Obama close Guantanamo Bay and bring prisoners to trial fairly or release them. As the first court-ordered releases take place, more EU countries including Britain must join Portugal in granting residence - with any necessary monitoring - to those freed detainees unable to go home."