Breaking the chain : ending Ireland's role in renditions

Abstract

This report is published on 26th June 2009, International Day Against Torture, as the recent practice of rendition has been so inextricably linked with torture or other ill-treatment. The gross human rights violations associated with the US programme of rendition and secret detention – including enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention, as well as torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment - are only possible in a world where states stay silent when they ought to challenge such violations. Ireland has been a vocal critic of the US renditions programme, and other aspects of what the previous administration called its ‘war on terror’. But the Irish Government has resolutely failed to match this rhetoric with action. It has assisted US renditions through its virtual open door to CIA planes at Shannon airport. It has steadfastly refused to heed calls from national and international bodies for an investigation into abuse of Ireland’s airports and airspace. It has failed to take any preventative measures to guard against further abuse. It has instead insisted on relying on so-called “assurances” from the US Government. It would be hard to imagine a similar response in a situation where foreign aircraft transiting Irish airports had a known link to other forms of illegal activity, such as illegal drug trafficking.