Shannon councillors call for inspection of rendition flights
national |
rights, freedoms and repression |
news report 
Thursday October 09, 2008 09:18
by Amnesty1 - Amnesty International
Amnesty International Ireland has welcomed the unanimous vote at Shannon Town Council on Tuesday night in support of a system of inspections for suspected rendition flights traveling through Ireland.
Amnesty International Ireland has welcomed the unanimous vote at Shannon Town Council last night in support of a system of inspections for suspected rendition flights traveling through Ireland.
“I am delighted that Shannon Town Council has stood up for human rights,” said Amnesty International Ireland Executive Director Colm O’Gorman.
“That Shannon’s councillors can support the call from Amnesty International and other human rights organisations for inspections is of immense symbolic value.”
In at least four cases Shannon Airport has been identified through flight logs as a staging area for renditions operations. The men involved were Khaled al-Maqtari, Abu Omar, Khaled el-Masri and Binyam Mohamed.
“I would like to pay tribute to our local Amnesty International Group in Limerick who worked with Cllr Greg Duff, who proposed the motion, ahead of the vote to ensure a successful outcome,” continued Mr O’Gorman.
“The representatives of the people of Shannon join Cork City Council, Derry City Council and Kilkenny County Council in declaring themselves ‘rendition-free’ and I would urge other local authorities across the country to follow suit.”
Backgound note:
Text of the motion:
“That Shannon Town Council supports the demand of the Irish Human Rights Commission for a system of inspection of foreign aircraft to ensure that Ireland is never, even unwittingly, an accessory to rendition or torture.”
Proposed by Greg Duff (Labour)
Seconded by Tony McMahon (Labour)
Motion was passed unanimously.
Comments (3 of 3)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3This is fabulous, of course, and marks the awakening of a certain Irish consciousness to the knowledge that (1) 'threats' by certain US reps in Ireland that the region would suffer if there was continued objection to the US military at Shannon are rubbish and offensive rubbish at that and (2) US companies decided whether to go or stay in Ireland based upon economic and not political considerations. US Big Business couldn't give a proverbial about the Green Nostalgia that somehow makes for 'special' bonding between Ireland and the US. It too is rubbish and has been for years. Now it is up to other Councils around the country similarly to pass such a motion. It should be made an election issue, locally or otherwise. US speculative financial greed created the financial firestorm the world is now enduring, and Ireland will be hit just like anyone else. It should be brought home to the government through Council actions that Irish people will no longer tolerate the US committing potential war crimes while using our territory; and we will not facilitate the continuation of an illegal war. Good for Shannon!
The stand against rendition flights is laudable and all congratulations should go to any elected representative of the people who takes such a stand.
The problem is - who is going to officially ensure such inspections, and who will oversee them? Higher government has consistently shown crass disregard for the will and wishes of the people. Is this going to be any different?
They would most likely NOT find any torture victims of course, because the Yanks wouldn't risk bringing one in, if there were inspection going on. But the inspections should record the names of the crew, not just accepting the aliases used in the manifest, but actually checking these feckers for valid photo ID.
That would greatly discourage them from using Shannon as a refuelling spot en route to drag someone off to the torture chambers.
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