This article is from page 14 of the 2007-12-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
THERE will be no searches for prisoners on US planes at Shannon Airport despite the Government’s own watchdog recommending such AYeL nO) Oe
The Government has rejected the recommendation of the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) on the need to search planes which land at Shannon if they are suspected of be- ing involved in the transport of pris- oners to torture centres.
The IHRC is a statutory body which
monitors Ireland’s compliance with human rights legislation. After mak- ing a study of the claims concerning Shannon being used to facilitate ex- traordinary rendition, 1t recommend- ed that the Government introduce an effective and independent inspection regime as a matter of urgency.
Although there have been no re- corded incidents of rendition in Irish territories, planes used for the practice have stopped in Shannon, according to a report from the Euro- pean Parliament.
The IHRC undertook a review of
domestic and international laws on foot of claims that planes used to transport prisoners for torture had stopped over in Shannon for refuel- ling.
The IHRC produced a hard-hitting report on foot of their review which warned the Government that it faces the “appalling vista” of being sued by tortured terror suspects transport- ed through Ireland.
The IHRC said that Government should consider a dedicated Garda sub-station at Shannon to allow peo- ple to complain if they suspect that a
plane is being used to transport pris- oners.
But Foreign Affairs Minister Der- mot Ahern claimed the IHRC was more willing “to give credence to a self-appointed activist group” than to the categoric assurances of the democratically elected Government of the US.
Anti-war campaigner and former army officer, Edward Horgan said that several planes identified by the EU report as being implicated in the transport of prisoners for torture continue to land at Shannon.