EU nations were aware of 'torture flights'
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2006 09:10
European airspace and airports were used by the CIA
A European parliament report drafted by a committee of MEPs states that EU nations knew of the CIA practice of transferring suspects to secret prisons to interrogate them and were aware that EU airspace was being used to transport the suspects.
Headed by Italian Claudio Fava, the report states that EU countries including Britain were aware of the practice of extraordinary renditions, which involves a terror suspect being transported to a third location where they are interrogated and risk being tortured.
The report says that at least 1,245 secret CIA rendition flights used European airspace or even stopped at European airports.
The scathing report also criticises the governments of Poland and Romania, with the most controversial accusation directed towards the Polish government. Allegations have been made that the Polish government allowed a secret CIA detention centre to operate within their territories. Poland has continued to deny the accusations.
However, US president George W Bush stands by the use of the secret CIA prisons arguing that they are needed in the "fight against terrorism".
As a result of the report, there are calls for a full investigation into the possible violation of human rights.