1,245 + suspect "transfers" (extraordinary renditions) through Europe since 911

[Solly Mack]

EU to vote on CIA flights report

"A report which criticises 14 European governments for complicity in CIA operations is expected to face a close vote in the European Parliament.

The report says countries including the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, turned a blind eye to CIA flights used to transport terror suspects.

Last year, the European Parliament set up a temporary committee of MEPs to investigate the allegations. "


Euro MPs Likely To Soften Criticism In Final CIA Report

"European Union lawmakers on Wednesday are likely to soften a controversial report which slams their governments for tolerating or assisting the United States' practice of secret detentions of terrorist suspects."

-snip-

"But the parliament's two largest groups have drawn up amendments which would water down the accusations against national governments.

EU sources said that some Euro MPs have been pressured by their capitals to soften passages in the report which criticise their governments for turning a blind eye on the so-called rendition flights or for lack of co-operation with the committee's inquiry. "


MEPs debate alleged CIA renditions ahead of the vote on the final report

"MEPs expressed a variety of opinions with some condemning the CIA and EU Member State governments while others called the report anti-American propaganda based on speculative media reports. The vote on the final report takes place at midday today."

TOMORROW’S CIA VOTE IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SHOULD MARK BEGINNING OF ACCOUNTABILITY(which is happening today)

"The European Parliament usually has no difficulty coming together to condemn the human rights violations of others. Tomorrow we shall see if it is also capable of addressing those happening at home”, said Dick Oosting, Director of Amnesty International’s EU Office from Strasbourg, where the vote will take place.

Last minute attempts to weaken the report are a worrying sign of the European Parliament’s vulnerability to national and party interests, despite the grave nature of abuses: kidnapping, torture and disappearances.

“The EU Council has not even acknowledged that extraordinary renditions are extra-judicial practices breaching international law. Without sufficient pressure from the European Parliament it is unlikely that governments will take responsibility”, said Oosting."




When those with the power to stop crimes against humanity are just as guilty as those who set those grave injustices into place to begin with, who is left to hold the guilty accountable?

[Solly Mack]

1. kick