AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE

January 24, 2006

(Washington, DC) Today's release of the Council of Europe's interim report on extraordinary renditions and secret detention centers in Europe is a step toward uncovering the truth about the extent to which U.S. agents are carrying out renditions and related practices in Europe. However the report makes clear a number of European governments still need to answer serious questions.

The report recognizes that there is "a great deal of coherent, convergent evidence pointing to the existence of a system of 'relocation' or 'outsourcing' of torture." What is needed now is the cooperation of all countries to ensure that they actively look at what is happening within their territory that may facilitate torture and take appropriate action.

"All European countries have an obligation to fully investigate gross human rights violations possibly committed on their territories. Full cooperation is vital. Governments that fail to provide complete and thorough information to the Council will be seen as condoning such abuses," said Alexandra Arriaga, Director of Government Affairs for Amnesty International USA.

"Dick Marty, the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly Rapporteur, has established that allegations of secret detention centers in Europe come from a variety of credible sources. Secret detention sites, extraordinary rendition and a lack of due process violate international law as well as core principles of human decency. How many more reports must be issued before governments act?" stated Arriaga.

Amnesty International is urging U.S. Congress to create an independent commission to investigate all aspects of U.S. detention and interrogation practices.

In addition, Amnesty International has launched a campaign, "Tell the Truth about Torture, Mr. President," to urge the President to be honest and forthcoming about the U.S. government's use of torture in the "war on terror" during his State of the Union address on January 31.

Amnesty International supports the call of Marty for a full committee of inquiry, with extensive investigatory powers.

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