“Torture by proxy” - Extraordinary rendition by the United States Government
Von Helman | 05.06.2011 19:20 | Other Press | Terror War | World
By Von Helman
Staff Writer
SHTF411.com
Extraordinary renditions are the abduction (kidnapping) and transfer of a persons from one nation to another (International trafficking) where laws in the country of destination allow human torture.
The term "Torture by proxy" is used by many to describe these numerous situations in which the United States has transferred suspected “Terrorists” or “Enemy Combatants” to countries known to practice torture.
In 1984 and 1986, during a wave of terrorist attacks, Congress passed laws making air piracy and attacks on Americans abroad federal crimes. Ronald Reagan added teeth to these laws by signing a secret covert-action directive in 1986 that authorized the CIA to kidnap, anywhere abroad, foreigners wanted for terrorism. A new word entered the dictionary of U.S. foreign relations: rendition
During the Clinton Administration All Gore was quoted in a White House meeting as saying,
[quote] “That's a no-brainer. Of course it's a violation of international law, that's why it's a covert action. The guy is a terrorist. Go grab his ass."[/quote]
All of this activity is now “legal” in the USA under the Patriot Act, although still illegal under international conventions and treaties.
Through the freedom of information act it has been determined through obtained documents that The United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operates a global abduction and internment operation of suspected terrorists, known as “extraordinary rendition”, which since 2001 has captured an estimated 3,000 people and transported them around the world for torture and human rights violations.
Rendered persons have undergone torture by the receiving states, and it has been alleged that this has occurred with the knowledge or acquiescence of the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom.
This secret CIA program prompted several official investigations throughout Europe into these alleged secret detention centers and the unlawful inter-state transfers of humans involving Council of Europe member states.
A June 2006 report from the Council of Europe estimated 100 people had been kidnapped by the CIA on EU territory (with the cooperation of Council of Europe members), and rendered to other countries, often after having transited through secret detention centers ("black sites") used by the CIA, some sited in Europe. According to the separate European Parliament report of February 2007, the CIA has conducted 1,245 flights, many of them to destinations where suspects could face torture, in violation of article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
A large majority of the European Union Parliament endorsed the report's conclusion that many member states tolerated illegal actions by the CIA and criticized several European governments and intelligence agencies for their unwillingness to cooperate with the investigation.
In a separate investigation it became clear how the CIA and the US Federal Government were able to mask many of these clandestine kidnapping trips so they would not have to report or disclose their travel methods through regular government channels which is required under federal law.
Using private charter jet service companies which the US government already has established contracts with these kidnapped victims would be loaded onto a charter aircraft flight with a fictitious name as a passenger. These private charter companies then being private companies are not obligated to release certain information to the public nor do the freedom of information act allows anyone to access these private company files or flight / passenger logs.
This “loophole” has allowed the CIA and the US Government to take advantage of transporting thousands of kidnapped victims all masked under a veil of secrecy that the public has not been privy to because these records are not open to the public until these ongoing investigations have uncovered these methods and exposed them for what they are, a legal loophole to hide their activities.
“Atlas Air” Charter Jet Company, which has been used by the US government has on their Wikipedia page this humdinger on it,
[quote] In 2006, Amnesty International released a report on extraordinary rendition which found that Atlas Air was one of the airlines which was alleged to have be used by the US government for rendering detainees[4] for torture or further detention.[/quote]
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Air
The US Government uses several of these private charter jet companies for their clandestine activities and one company Omni Air International which the US Government now uses regularly has even received special privileges that other airlines have not.
[Quote] ETOPS approval by the FAA. This is only the second time in the history of U.S. Aviation that this type of immediate ETOPS approval has been granted. [/quote]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omni_Air_International
What is ETOPS? ETOPS is an acronym for extended twin engine operations as re-defined by the US Federal Aviation Administration and guess what?
Government-owned aircraft (including military) do not have to adhere to ETOPS regulations so it’s kind of odd that this Private Charter Company that is used by the DOJ and DOD as well as Government Entities worldwide has been given such a rare exemption (Second time in the history of US aviation)
[quote] Government-owned aircraft (including military) do not have to adhere to ETOPS regulations.[/Quote] Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETOPS
Most of these charter companies employ many ex-military and government employees and therefore there is a natural bond of patriotic dedication these employees have to the overall military, military operations and keeping everything clandestine.
The US tax payers and those who support the military complex are guilty of supporting international illegal kidnapping and torture and are accomplices and under the Patriot Act are basically just as guilty as the Terrorist the Patriot Act outlines as being the enemy.
Even President Bush stated in a speech that anyone giving aid to terrorist were just as guilty and would be considered a terrorist themselves.
What a double standard for the USA which prides itself as a nation based on freedom, personal liberties, and having an open and accountable government. Thank god Obama has promised us all his administration will set new standards in transparency!
Sources include Wikipedia, which is a registered trademark
http://shtf411.com/-torture-by-proxy-extraordinary-rendition-by-the-united-states-government-t15899-p131743.html#p131743
Von Helman