U.S. Torture Flights Could Land Again

[babylonsister]

Torture Flights Could Land Again
By David Cronin

BRUSSELS, Sep 27 (IPS) - Seven months after a major investigation spelt out Europe's involvement in a murky U.S. torture and kidnapping programme, the EU's governments have claimed they are powerless to prevent such human rights abuses in the future.

In February, an inquiry committee in the European Parliament concluded that at least 1,245 flights operated by the Central Intelligence Agency flew into European airspace or stopped at the continent's airports between the end of 2001 and the end of 2005.

As well as citing evidence that the aircraft were used to transport torture victims, the report urged that all military or police overflights in Europe should only be granted clearance in return for assurances on the respect of human rights.

But Portugal, the current holder of the EU's presidency, claimed Sep. 26 that the Union has no legal power to monitor the CIA in that way.

Manuel Lobo Antunes, Portugal's Europe minister, said there had "not been any lack of commitment" to address the surrounding issues on the part of EU governments. Yet he failed to acknowledge that the evidence unearthed in investigations has been convincing. "We shouldn't confuse facts with allegations," he said.

Human rights activists were angered by the minister's comments, made while addressing members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

more...

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39424

[madokie]

1. Information obtained thru torture is not reliable enough to act on on its face value

so what is it, a group of warmongers getting their jollies maybe. sick sick sick

[Solly Mack]

2. No power?

don't the countries themselves have "the legal power to monitor the CIA in that way"?
- are they just using this as an excuse not to act?

What prevents each the EU countries from monitoring what goes on on their soil?