Rendition, Torture and Government Hypocrisy

A video of the proceedings can be found here (I've not watched it myself as of yet).

Please note, that under the link for the video, there's a pdf file titled: "Additional Documents from David Addington." I've just finished giving this a quick once over. It's an incredible read and details how hard Addington tried to avoid appearing at this hearing. He eventually had to be issued with a subpoena.

Link.

There is ample photographic evidence that torture is a routine part of the US democratisation process. It has been reported widely that this has included boys being filmed being raped in Abu Ghraib and the torture of children in front of parents. But what the heck, lets be realistic: we have the jobs in Shannon, we have Intel, the US. firms are good friends of ours. We can give them a low tax base for their firms with a non-union workforce. We can get over these little glitches. Isn't that the bottom line?

cactus flower wrote:

There is ample photographic evidence that torture is a routine part of the US democratisation process. It has been reported widely that this has included boys being filmed being raped in Abu Ghraib and the torture of children in front of parents. But what the heck, lets be realistic: we have the jobs in Shannon, we have Intel, the US. firms are good friends of ours. We can give them a low tax base for their firms with a non-union workforce. We can get over these little glitches. Isn't that the bottom line?

It's the only bottom line that can be inferred. Although, anyone who's ever promoted this bottom line has been very careful to limit what they say to looking at the possible results of ripping Shannon from the grasping fingers of the US. Bring up the subject of either torture or war crimes and you'll get a long rhetorical lecture about the supposed lack of proof of either war crimes or torture and indeed, your point will be completely lost in the vomitous mass and no relevant answer will be forthcoming. Similar to the spin the Government always puts onto any question about facilitating rendition: "there's no evidence that suggests a prisoner has ever been taken through Shannon."

Give me a bucket!

The British have just announced that they are to investigate extraordinary rendition after much effort from Reprieve left them with little other choice.

Specifically, the possibility that Diego Garcia was used more than twice is to be studied.

AP wrote:

LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers pledged Sunday to study the movements of planes
and ships traveling to the remote British outpost Diego Garcia amid
persistent suspicion it is used by U.S. authorities to detain or
transfer terrorism suspects...

... Reprieve, a British human rights organization, claims the U.S. has used
military ships off Diego Garcia as prisons to detain suspects in terror
cases. The U.S. Navy has previously said ships elsewhere have been used
to hold a few prisoners for short periods, but denied that there are
long-term floating prisons.

ARTICLE

One can only wonder how long it'll be before the Irish Government takes a half-hearted slap at American injustice. It's my guess that the Government will shortly announce the commencement of searches at Shannon (nod nod, wink wink). They'll possibly then tell myself and others to shut up, as we'll have been given what we've been asking for.

Not by a very long shot. I want the Gardaí to investigate extraordinary rendition (kidnapping and torture) and to seize any and all planes associated with it that land in Ireland (and to arrest any persons onboard under the suspicion of having broken many international laws). I also want our Government to announce that Irish airspace is a no-fly zone for any and all aircraft associated with the aforementioned crimes. Finally (with regard to extraordinary rendition), I want our Government to announce that any evidence that is seized or found, that establishes any crimes against humanity that have occurred (in any jurisdiction), will lead to criminal charges and prosecutions, as demanded by international law (and morality).

I'm not asking for anything that we haven't promised to do already. We are obligated and it's about time that we woke up to this fact.

Members of our Government shouldn't be too worried about handing themselves in. That'd be a bit much to ask from those who are prepared to give so little. Court dates will be provided, with no help necessary from the State. It's the least we can do.

I promised the other day to link to an animation that shows the violation of Irish airspace with regard to rendition flights.

The following link has three separate animations along the left side of the page. The topmost one is the one that I'm on about, though the other two also contain information worth knowing about. The animations themselves are a wealth of information and take a while to load - please ignore any error messages and okay the animations to continue to load should you be prompted to do so. You'll see how complex they are once they start to play. I'll upload the numbers of planes and dates of specific renditions in the very near future so that folks can prove to themselves that actual renditions did indeed violate Irish airspace.

I should point out, that the data in these animations is very far from being complete and indeed, that there are gaps in our knowledge with regard to movements of some of the flights that we do know about. It should also be borne in mind, as has been pointed out in the comment above this one, that the US navy has also facilitated rendition, via ships used as floating detention centres. I say this in case anyone is wondering why so many rendition planes have landed in coastal regions of the US.

These animations have a very sobering effect, especially the first one.

Link to the Terminal Air animations.

Here's a quote from an article I wrote earlier this year, it serves to remind that Guantanamo Bay is not the only concentration camp operated by the US, neither is it the largest one:

Quote :

Lest we forget, Guantanamo is not the only place where human beings are
held without basic human rights, there are many more. Not least of
these is Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan which currently holds 20,000 or
more miserable prisoners. Facilities like Bagram are considered worse
than Guantanamo with regard to the treatment of prisoners. The US has
said that it wishes to close the makeshift prison that would be
overcrowded if it held only 10,000. They say that they cannot close
this facility and hand the prisoners over to the authorities in
Afghanistan as they cannot be sure of the prisoners’ fair treatment at
the hands of the authorities from Afghanistan. The irony surely bleeds
from this position.

Link to article.

Seems to be dawning on some folks that accountability isn't something we only hold other folks to.

The UN yesterday ticked off Ireland for not investigating rendition ( amongst other human rights omissions ). I lost the post I wrote yesterday - did anyone else see anything about this?

This was today's Editorial in the Irish Examiner.

LINK

Is this a sign that we are waking from our zombie-like torpor in relation to "rendition"? I hope so, as it wasn't good to see the video of a interrogation of a minor at Guantanamo on tonight's news. It seems that some national governments ( Canada and Germany) are leaving their citizens to rot in Guantanamo even after the Americans say there will be no charges against them. This is nauseating.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0725/1216917539062.html

Ireland's failure to investigate rendition claims and inspect planes criticised by the UN last week.

Now Milliband is told that the US has tortured people on Diego Garcia, UK territory and has lied to the UK government about it.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/World/mhqlcwauqlkf/


This is the most detailed account of the Irish Government's response to the issues given by the Attorney General, Paul Gallagher.

http://rightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/un-press-release-human-rights-committee-considers-report-of-ireland.doc

A great post CF, particularly the third link.

Allow me to make a dangerous allegation: The Government has lied.

There has been no investigation into rendition whatsoever, at least prior to the final Ploughsharse trial. Moreso, the Gardaí have refused, on record, to investigate issues and complaints brought to them regarding rendition.

Detective Houlihan, attatched to Shannon Garda station, with responsibility for Garda activities in the airport, said under oath, at the Ploughshares trial, that Garda investigations into rendition had consisted of the Gardaí accepting assurances from US personell onboard suspicious aircraft. He said that the Gardaí had never boarded any suspicious or reportedly suspicious aircraft. There is no reason whatsoever to suspect that this policy of non-investigation has changed. Our own experience of having logged, witnessed and reported suspicious aircraft has resulted in no boardings or investigations at all, and we know for a fact that many of these aircraft have been used in renditions and that they are evidence of an international crime. And indeed, Detective Houlihan also admitted under oath, that he was empowered and mandated to investigate international crimes, though he did admit ignorance regarding the actual laws themselves. Furthermore, personell onboard these suspicious and evidentiary aircraft should be arrested under the suspicion of being complicit in these international crimes.

There's been a new Guantanamo manual released. It's about the interrogation methods allowed. This particular manual is based on the US military's SERE program (Survival, Evasion, Resistence and Escape). Basically, it allows methodologies to be used that some US forces are trained to withstand. Pretty barbaric stuff.

Here it is:

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY” JTF GTMO SERE SOP 10 DECEMBER 2002

JTF GTMO “SERE” INTERROGATION STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

Subj: GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYING “SERE” TECHNIQUES DIRING DETAINEE
INTERROGATIONS

Ref: (a) FASO DETACHMENT BRUNSWICK INSTRUCTION 3305.3D

1. Purpose. This SOP document promulgates procedures to be followed by
I I P-GTMO personnel engaged in interrogation operations on detained
persons. The premise behind this is that the interrogation tactics
used at U.S. military SERE schools are appropriate for use in
real-world interrogations. These tactics and techniques are used at
SERE school to “break” SERE detainees. The same tactics and techniques
can be used to break real detainees during interrogation operations.

The basis for this document is the SOP used at the U.S. Navy SERE
(Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) school in Brunswick, Maine
and is defined by reference (a).

Note that all tactics are strictly non-lethal.

STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES LAID OUT IN THIS DOCUMENT IS
MADATORY!

2. Training. All interrogators will undergo training by certified SERE
instructors prior to being approved for use of any of the techniques
described in this document.

3. Scope. Applicable to military and civilian interrogators assigned
to JTF-GTMO, Cuba.

TED K. MOSS LtCol, USAF

INTERROGATION TACTICS

1. GENERAL STATEMENT

a. This document describes in detail the interrogation tactics
authorized for use in detainee interrogation operations at JTF_GTMO
and the safety precautions that must be used to prevent injuries. The
tactics are the same as those used in U.S. military SERE schools.

b. ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT NOT EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZED HEREIN IS PROHIBIIED.

c. INTERROGATION TACTICS FOLLOWED BY: ******* MAY ONLY BE USED BY
THOSE INITERROGATORS DESIGNATED IN WRITING BY THE ICE CHIEF.

2. INTERROGATION SAFETY

a. Approved interrogation tactics are found in Sections 3-6.

b. Additional safeguards are as follows:

1. Detainee behavior and reactions are continuously observed and
evaluated by the interrogator.

2. Both the detainee’s and the interrogators behavior are monitored by
the Watch Officer.

3. IT IS CRITICAL THAT INIERROGATORS DO “CROSS THE LINE” WHEN
UTILIZING THE TACTICS DESCRIBED BELOW. Therefore, verbal coded
messages or nonverbal signals will be used by the Watch Officer (or
other interrogators) when giving instructions to adjust interrogation
procedure. For example, two kicks on the door indicated the
interrogator should discontinue the current approach and move on to
another approach. The statement, “Stop wasting time with this pig,”
means to discontinue the current training tactic and take a break.

3. DEGRADATION TACTICS

a. SHOULDER SLAP. The shoulder slap is a moderate to hard, glancing
blow to the back of the shoulder with an open hand. It is used as an
irritant.

b. INSULT SLAP. *****

(1) The insult slap is used to shock and intimidate the detainee. The
slap is aimed at the detainee’s cheek only. Contact will be made only
with the fingers in the open hand position and the fingers will be
slightly spread and relaxed. The slap will be initiated no more than
12-14 inches (or one shoulder width) from the detainee’s face. To
ensure this distance is not exceeded and to preclude any tendency to
wind up or uppercut, the slap will be initiated with the slap hand
contacting the detainee’s body on the top of the shoulder. The target
area is slightly below the cheekbone, away from the eyes and
ears. Extreme care must be taken not to strike the lower jaw. Slaps
aimed at the ears, mouth, nose eyes or throat are prohibited.

(2) Uninterrupted or consecutive slaps are prohibited because the
detainee will duck or dodge the slap, creating possibility for an
injury. Experience has shown that after a second slap, the
effectiveness of the slap tactic is significantly
reduced. Interrogators will cease using the slap if detainee begins
ducking. At this point, a threatened slap with the hand will achieve
the same purpose as a slap. Blows with the back of the hand, fists,
elbows, feet and knees are prohibited. Insult slaps are only to be
used by those interrogators designated in writing by the ICE CHIEF.

C. STOMACH SLAP. ******

(1) As with the insult slap, the stomach slap is used to shock and
intimidate the detainee. The tactic is delivered with the back of the
bare hand. The slap will be directed towards the center of the
abdomen. The detainee will not be struck in the solar plexus, ribs,
sides, and kidneys or below the navel. The slap will not be performed
against the bare skin. Slaps will be initiated with the interrogator’s
upper arm parallel to his/her body, extending the striking hand in a
swinging motion to the target area. Detainees will be either facing or
to the side of the interrogator when the slap is administered.

(2) Uninterrupted or consecutive slaps are prohibited. Blows to the
stomach with the palm of the hand fist, knees or elbows are
prohibited.

D. STRIPPING

(1) Stripping consists of forceful removal of detainees’ clothing. In
addition to degradation of the detainee, shipping can be used to
demonstrate the omnipotence of the captor or to debilitate the
detainee. Interrogator personnel tear clothing from detainees by
firmly pulling downward against buttoned buttons and seams. Tearing
motions shall be downward to prevent pulling the detainee off balance.

4. PHYSICAL DEBILITATION TACTICS

a. STRESS POSITIONS. Stress positions are used to punish
detainees. ALL STRESS POSITIONS ARE -RESTRICTED TO A MAXIMUM TIME OF
TEN MINUTES AND A LOGBOOK ENTRY IS REQURED. An interrogator/guard will
remain with detainees during use of stress positions. The authorized
positions are:

(1) Head Rest/Index Finger position - Detainee is placed with forehead
or fingers against the wall, then the detainee’s legs are backed out
to the point that the detainee’s leaning weight is brought to bear on
fingers or head.

(2) Kneeling position - Administered by placing detainee on knees and
having him lean backward on heels and hold hands extended to the sides
or front, palms upward. Light weights such as small rocks, may be
placed in the detainee’ s upturned palms. The detainee will not be
placed in a position facing the sun or floodlights.

(3) Worship-the-Gods - The detainee is placed on knees with head and
torso arched back, with arms either folded across the chest or
extended to the side or front. The detainee will not be placed in a
position facing the sun or floodlights.

(4) Sitting Position - the detainee is placed with his back against a
wall, tree or post; thighs are horizontal, lower legs are vertical
with feet flat on floor or ground as though sitting in a chair. Arms
may be extended to sides horizontally, palms up and boots on.

(5) Standing position - While standing, the detainee is required to
extend arms either to the sides or front with palms up. Light weights
such as small rocks may be placed in upturned palms.

5. ISOLATION AND MONOPOLIZATION OF PERCEPTION TACTICS

a. HOODING

(1) Hoods are lightweight fabric sacks large enough to fit loosely
over a detainee’s head and permit unrestricted breathing.

(2) Flooding us used to isolate detainees. Individually hooded
detainees may be moved provided an interrogator/guard leads the
detainee. Detainees may not be left standing alone with the hood
on. They must be placed either on their stomachs, kneeling, or
sitting. Detainee medical limitations must be considered.

6. DEMONSTRATED OMNIPOTENCE TACTICS

a. MANHANDLING. Manhandling consists of pulling or pushing a
detainee. It is used as an irritant and to direct the detainee to
specific locations. Detainees must be handcuffed and must grasp their
trousers near mid-thigh with both hands. The interrogator firmly
grasps detainee’s clothing and then moves the detainee at a walking
pace. The interrogator must maintain positive control of the detainee
The detainee is not released until the interrogator is positive the
detainee has regained balance.

b. WALLING. ***** Walling consists of placing a detainee forcibly
against a specially constructed wall. Walling will only be performed
in designated areas where specially constructed walls have been
built. Walling is used to physically intimidate a detainee. The
interrogator must ensure the wall is smooth, firm, and free of any
projections. If conducted outside, footing area must be solid and free
of objects that could cause detainee or interrogator to lose their
balance. A detainee can be taken to the wall a maximum of three,times
per.shift. Walling is done by firmly grasping the front of the
detainee’s clothing high on each side of the collar„ ensuring the top
of the clothing is open. Care should be taken to ensure detainees with
long hair do not get their hair tangled into the folds of clothes
being grasped by the interrogator. To avoid bruising the detainee,
roll hands under folds of clothing material and ensure only the backs
of the hands contact detainee’s chest.
never allowing the detainee to be propelled uncontrollably. Ensure
only the broad part of the shoulders contact the surface of the
wall. Grip the detainee’s clothing firmly enough so the collar acts as
a restrictive constraint to preclude the detainee’s head from
contacting the wall does this. If the detainee’s head inadvertently
touches the wall, walling will be ceased immediately.

Walling is to be used by those interrogators designated in writing by
the ICE CHIEF.

LINK

It's good to see they have established high guidelines and a useful pocket manual to aid in the delivery of their techniques.

Quote :

(1) The insult slap is used to shock and intimidate the detainee. The slap is aimed at the detainee’s cheek only. Contact will be made only with the fingers in the open hand position and the fingers will be slightly spread and relaxed. The slap will be initiated no more than 12-14 inches (or one shoulder width) from the detainee’s face. To ensure this distance is not exceeded and to preclude any tendency to wind up or uppercut, the slap will be initiated with the slap hand contacting the detainee’s body on the top of the shoulder. The target area is slightly below the cheekbone, away from the eyes and
ears. Extreme care must be taken not to strike the lower jaw. Slaps aimed at the ears, mouth, nose eyes or throat are prohibited.

Here's another slap worth thinking about:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/bernadette-mcaliskey-the-return-of-the-roaring-girl-13993688.html?startindex=-1

But this really is the same woman who was elected to Parliament in 1969 aged 21, the youngest female MP ever. The one who was about to make a speech to marchers in Derry in January 1972 when the Parachute Regiment opened fire, killing 14 people on what became known as Bloody Sunday. The woman who was in the Commons the next day, to hear the Home Secretary, Reggie Maudling, say the Paras had acted in self-defence. She hurled herself across the floor of the House and slapped him hard on the face, yelling, "Murderous hypocrite!"

Bush admits he authorised torture on 11/1/09 in an interview with Brit Hume:

There is a big campaign to indite/prosecute Bush and Chesney. Good luck to them.

http://democrats.com/elandslide/petition.cfm?campaign=warcrimes
http://www.prosecutionofbush.com/
http://gawker.com/5045295/biden-would-prosecute-bush-war-crimes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE-AW6H0lps
http://www.legaline.com/2008/06/mass-law-school-plans-to-prosecute-bush.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/08/obama-prompted-to-prosecu_n_156209.html

The good news is, Obama says he aint gonna do this anymore. So, we don't have to worry about the ethical aspects of letting the US use Shannon so much. And fair play to those trying to get Bush indicted. I'd say it won't work though... they won't want to cramp the style of the Commander in Chief, no matter who he might be in the future.

I'd also reckon it will be at LEAST 8 years before another republican enters the Oval Office, and after the economic mess Bush, Cheney and co. ltd have left behind, it might have to be a different breed of republican

I know Shannon was an issue, but think about it; I've lived in one jurisdiction where the entire parliament endorsed the Iraq war, despite almost 50% public opposition, and where gazillions of money and lives are being poured into Afghanistan, with the same prospect of success as they managed 150 years ago (battle of Jalalabad, anyone??). I've lived in another which avoided Iraq, but not Afghanistan.

I feel privileged to be paying me taxes in luverly neutral Ireland; there's almost nowhere else to go in the Anglozone if you wish to avoid funding wars (except NZ, maybe???).

expat girl wrote:

The good news is, Obama says he aint gonna do this anymore. So, we
don't have to worry about the ethical aspects of letting the US use
Shannon so much. And fair play to those trying to get Bush indicted.
I'd say it won't work though... they won't want to cramp the style of
the Commander in Chief, no matter who he might be in the future.

I'd
also reckon it will be at LEAST 8 years before another republican
enters the Oval Office, and after the economic mess Bush, Cheney and
co. ltd have left behind, it might have to be a different breed of
republican

I know Shannon was an issue, but think about it;
I've lived in one jurisdiction where the entire parliament endorsed the
Iraq war, despite almost 50% public opposition, and where gazillions of
money and lives are being poured into Afghanistan, with the same
prospect of success as they managed 150 years ago (battle of Jalalabad,
anyone??). I've lived in another which avoided Iraq, but not
Afghanistan.

I feel privileged to be paying me taxes in
luverly neutral Ireland; there's almost nowhere else to go in the
Anglozone if you wish to avoid funding wars (except NZ, maybe???).

We most certainly do have to worry about the ethical aspects of letting the US use Shannon. And we must worry about the ethics of allowing them to continue to use Shannon. We even pay for the privilege by subsidising the US killing machine to land there.

Outside the political dictatorship in this country, there is no indigenous support whatsoever for facilitating and encouraging the genocide going on in the Middle East. Not only do we facilitate the transport of arms and munitions for butchering innocents, we have also been a conduit for supplying Israel arms so that it may do similar. We, in all probability, are still a conduit for arms to Israel, despite even our government lackies claiming to abhor Israeli war crimes.

Much to worry about indeed.

Whatever about accusations about genocide and dictatorships, a few words from Obama are not enough to drive away the problem. The US has a serious credibility problem abroad and vigilence is what they should come to expect.

I should further add:

Obama has said nothing whatsoever about discontinuing the practice of kidnapping and outsourcing torture (extraordinary rendition) and since this barbaric practice has the seal of the US supreme court, it is doubtful that he will say anything. This practice started long before the current escapades in the Middle East and there's no reason or evidence to suggest that it will not continue, long after the rule of Obama.

tonys wrote:

Hermes wrote:

Outside the political dictatorship in this country, ???????

Much to worry about indeed. Me too.

What I meant by 'dictatorship' is that our government aided and abetted in the effort to kill poor, darker-skinned people against the wishes of the people of Ireland, and they continue to do so. This policy of putting US imperialism before Irish interests and before the demands of our Constitution, is a dictatorial policy, is it not?

Not to be pedantic, but a dictator tells people what to do surely? We knew what their policy towards the US was and yet we re-elected them.

905 wrote:

Not to be pedantic, but a dictator tells people what to do surely? We knew what their policy towards the US was and yet we re-elected them.

The only battles opposition groups or parties ever lose is on election day, other than that everyone is on their side. Do you not read the papers at all?

905 wrote:

Not to be pedantic, but a dictator tells people what to do surely? We knew what their policy towards the US was and yet we re-elected them.

That's hardly pedantic.

A dictatorship does its will, not the will of the people. By the same line of logic, the Irish people must support the idea that catholic priests may rape children at will and that the State will take the blame for it. We must support mass thuggery on our streets. We must support the idea of closing A&E units in hospitals. In general, we must support the tightening of our belts at a constant rate after we have put them around our necks.

Yesterday the ACLU released some previously classified documentation from the Department of the Secretary of Defence, that deals with the torture of prisoners in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

The two pages released even speak of prisoner deaths. Very chilling stuff. I'll comment no further at this stage, folks can come to their own conclusions. The declassified documentation can be found HERE.

Anyone interested in reading further documentation that the ALCU have had released under FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) can find it HERE.