Today US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice announced for the first time that US personnel operating outside the US are banned from subjecting prisoners to cruel treatment. Her statement came amidst growing concern that the CIA operates “extraordinary rendition” flights which carry suspects to countries where they may face torture.

Director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti said:

“We welcome Secretary Rice’s announcement as it expressly rules out any notion of US off-shore torture havens.

However, her remarks still beg the question as to whether the US is sending people to be tortured at the hands of non-Americans.

Liberty is awaiting responses to our request for an investigation into the allegations of extraordinary rendition via the United Kingdom.”

Liberty Press Office on 0207 378 3656 or 07973 831 128

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. On 30 November, Liberty called on Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and the Police Chief Constables of Bedfordshire, Dorset, Essex, Hampshire, the Metropolitan Police, the Ministry of Defence Police, Suffolk, Sussex, Thames Valley, and West Midlands to seek assurances by 14 December from the USA that it is not using UK airports to transport suspects to countries that torture.

2. Liberty’s call to action against extraordinary rendition marks the launch of its “No torture, no compromise” campaign which seeks to make the UK government honour its positive obligation to stop torture and ill-treatment.

3. Andrew Tyrie MP has launched an All Parliamentary Party Group on extraordinary rendition which will investigate claims that CIA planes have been touching down at British airfields carrying terrorist suspects.

4. The Guardian revealed on 12 September 2005 that airports in Biggin Hill, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brize Norton, Farnborough, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, RAF Mildenhall, Northolt, and Stansted have allowed CIA or CIA-chartered jets to land temporarily. These aircraft had flown into the UK approximately 210 times since 2001.