Labour MEPs' blackmail in CIA vote

2.22.04pm GMT Mon 12th Feb 2007

Commenting ahead of Wednesday's debate and vote on the final report of the European Parliament's temporary committee on CIA extraordinary rendition, the Liberal Democrats' European Justice Spokeswoman and committee vice-chair Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP said:

"The work of the CIA committee has been crucial in keeping the international spotlight on CIA torture flights and secret prisons and as a motor behind the launching of judicial investigations in Italy, Germany, Spain and Portugal."

"We have collated solid evidence as a basis for our conclusions that there was collusion from the European side with the CIA extraordinary rendition programme. This means European governments may be liable for grave illegality in facilitating or assisting abduction, incommunicado detention without charge or trial, and torture."

"While it is disappointing that some MEPs - on orders from their capitals - are seeking to water down well-deserved criticism of their governments, this does not detract from the overall thrust of the report."

"It is deplorable that Labour MEPs have blackmailed the rapporteur Claudio Fava into removing criticism of Geoff Hoon for non-cooperation by threatening to vote against the entire report. Their energies would be better deployed getting a thorough UK investigation into dodgy flights and the shady doings of M15."

"It remains the case that the UK has been far from forthcoming in its cooperation with the European Parliament's investigations. It is telling that while 57 countries last week signed a UN Treaty banning forced disappearances and secret detention, the US, Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy - some of the chief suspects- declined to add their signatures."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Since its establishment in January last year, the Committee has undertaken 130 hearings of lawyers, journalists, human rights bodies, European government ministers, EU and international officials; met with 4 victims of extraordinary rendition and closely examined over a dozen more cases; sent 7 external delegations, including to Washington and London and analysed countless flight logs and documents.