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.