Extraordinary rendition

Extraordinary rendition is a process by which the United States and other countries transfer detainees to foreign countries, often without due process or human rights protections, as part of the War on Terror. This practice has been linked to torture and other forms of human rights abuses, with countries such as Egypt, Syria, and Jordan being common destinations for rendition. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been involved in the rendition of numerous individuals, including Khalid El-Masri, Abu Omar, and Maher Arar, who were all subjected to torture and other forms of mistreatment. The practice of extraordinary rendition has been widely criticized by human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

● Definition and History

The term "extraordinary rendition" refers to the transfer of individuals from one country to another, often without the benefit of due process or human rights protections. This practice has its roots in the Cold War, when the United States and other countries used rendition as a means of transferring spies and other enemy combatants to foreign countries for interrogation and prosecution. However, the modern practice of extraordinary rendition began to take shape in the 1990s, with the United States using it as a means of transferring terrorist suspects to countries such as Egypt and Jordan. The CIA has been involved in the rendition of numerous individuals, including Ramzi Yousef, who was transferred to the United States from Pakistan in 1995, and Mohammed Jamal Khalifa, who was transferred to the United States from Jordan in 1995. Other notable cases include the rendition of Ahmed Agiza and Mohamed Alzery to Egypt in 2001, and the rendition of Abdul Rahim al-Nashiri to Poland in 2002.

● Practice and Procedures

The practice of extraordinary rendition typically involves the transfer of an individual from one country to another, often using private planes and secret facilities. The CIA and other intelligence agencies are often involved in the rendition process, which can involve the use of torture and other forms of coercion to extract information from the individual. The United States has used a number of different countries as destinations for rendition, including Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Poland. Other countries, such as Canada and Germany, have also been involved in the rendition process, often unwittingly. The European Union has been critical of the practice of extraordinary rendition, with the European Parliament passing a resolution in 2006 condemning the practice. The United Nations has also spoken out against the practice, with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture calling for an end to the practice in 2008.

● Controversies and Criticisms

The practice of extraordinary rendition has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and other groups, who argue that it is a violation of human rights and international law. The use of torture and other forms of coercion is a major concern, as is the lack of due process and transparency in the rendition process. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been a vocal critic of the practice, as have other organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The European Court of Human Rights has also spoken out against the practice, ruling in 2014 that Poland had violated the European Convention on Human Rights by allowing the CIA to operate a secret prison on its territory. Other notable critics include Dick Marty, a Swiss politician who has investigated the practice of extraordinary rendition, and Stephen Grey, a British journalist who has written extensively on the topic.

● Notable Cases

There have been a number of notable cases involving extraordinary rendition, including the cases of Khalid El-Masri, Abu Omar, and Maher Arar. El-Masri was a German citizen who was renditioned to Afghanistan in 2003, where he was subjected to torture and other forms of mistreatment. Abu Omar was an Egyptian cleric who was renditioned to Egypt in 2003, where he was subjected to torture and other forms of mistreatment. Arar was a Canadian citizen who was renditioned to Syria in 2002, where he was subjected to torture and other forms of mistreatment. Other notable cases include the rendition of Binyam Mohamed to Morocco in 2002, and the rendition of Abdul Rahim al-Nashiri to Poland in 2002. The cases of Ahmed Agiza and Mohamed Alzery, who were renditioned to Egypt in 2001, have also been widely reported.

● International Response and Legislation

The international community has responded to the practice of extraordinary rendition with a range of measures, including legislation and diplomatic pressure. The European Union has passed a number of resolutions condemning the practice, and the United Nations has spoken out against it on several occasions. The Council of Europe has also investigated the practice, with Dick Marty leading an inquiry into the use of secret prisons and torture in Europe. In the United States, the Congress has passed legislation aimed at preventing the use of torture and other forms of coercion in the rendition process, including the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 and the Military Commissions Act of 2006. The Obama administration has also taken steps to end the practice of extraordinary rendition, including the closure of secret prisons and the establishment of a new interrogation policy.

● Impact and Consequences

The practice of extraordinary rendition has had a significant impact on the War on Terror, with many arguing that it has been counterproductive and has undermined human rights and the rule of law. The use of torture and other forms of coercion has been widely criticized, and the lack of due process and transparency in the rendition process has raised concerns about the accountability of intelligence agencies. The practice has also had a significant impact on the relationship between the United States and other countries, with many allies expressing concern about the use of torture and other forms of coercion. The European Union has been critical of the practice, and the United Nations has spoken out against it on several occasions. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other human rights organizations continue to advocate for an end to the practice of extraordinary rendition, and for greater transparency and accountability in the War on Terror. Category:Human rights Category:War on Terror Category:International law