Govt urged to inspect US planes at Shannon
Friday, 23 December 2005 22:22
The Irish Human Rights Commission has called on the Government to carry out inspections of certain US aircraft landing at Shannon.
The commission expressed concern at reports that US aircraft were being used to transport prisoners to secret locations where they were at risk of torture or ill-treatment.
It noted that some of the aircraft involved had been recorded as stopping at Shannon.
The commission said Ireland has an obligation under international and domestic law to prevent any actions which would facilitate torture, even in another country.
The commission called on the Government as a matter of urgency to seek US agreement for the inspection of the US aircraft in question on landing at Shannon or any other Irish airports.
The Government says the US has given assurances that the flights are not transporting these prisoners.
However, the President of the Human Rights Commission, Maurice Manning, has said this is not enough and further clarification is needed.
- Morning Ireland: Gerry Quinn, a member of the Irish Human Rights Commission and also Professor of Law at NUI Galway, outlines why he believes the Govt should check some US aircraft at Shannon
- Nine News: Maurice Manning of the Irish Human Rights Commission says clarification from the US government is needed on the issue
- Six One News: Maurice Manning of the Irish Human Rights Commission says clarification from the US government is needed on the issue
