This article is from page 8 of the 2006-07-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
SHANNON Airport could find itself at the centre of a legal storm as US lawyers examine the possibility of suing the Irish Government over claims that it facilitated torture flights.
Ireland is one of a number of countries that human rights lawyers are threatening to sue.
The New York based Centre for Constitutional Rights, which is representing families of prisoners involved in the illegal CIA flights, is warning that action may be taken.
A spokesman for the centre has confirmed that it is “actively examining” the possibility of bringing Ireland before the European Court over its alleged compliance in the illegal transfer of prisoners.
A European Commission report, published last month, pointed the finger at Ireland as being one of 14 European countries suspected of colluding in the transfer of terrorism suspects to secret jails, where they could be tortured for information.
Military planes used to deliver prisoners are alleged to have stopped on their way back for refuelling at Shannon.
The CCR is investigating the possibility of taking action after the US Supreme Court ruled last week that the detention of the prisoners was contrary to both domestic US law and the Geneva Convention.
It ruled that the system of military commissions set up by the Bush administration violates the Geneva Convention’s edict that prescribes minimal rights for all detainees.