Italy Convicts 23 Americans for Rendition

An Italian court convicted 23 American intelligence officials of kidnapping in broad daylight a 23 year-old Muslim man that they suspected (incorrectly) of terrorism from the streets of Milan and subsequently sending him to Egyptian authorities (a country known to torture prisoners), where he was then (surprise) tortured.

Unfortunately, this is completely routine behaviour for the CIA, which has been engaging in what is called “extraordinary rendition” (the act of kidnapping terrorism suspects and sending them to secret prisons in countries known to torture prisoners) since at least 2006, probably earlier.

This is all completely illegal under international law. The United Nations Convention Against Torture (of which the US is a signatory) specifically states:

1. No State Party shall expel, return (”refouler”) or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture.
2. For the purpose of determining whether there are such grounds, the competent authorities shall take into account all relevant considerations including, where applicable, the existence in the State concerned of a consistent pattern of gross, flagrant or mass violations of human rights.

A European Union investigation has estimated that the CIA has performed 1,245 secret flights through its territory to states where suspects will likely face torture. A Swiss investigation has concluded that at least 100 people have been kidnapped while in Europe.

The US should never have started this completely unethical and illegal program. Since it has not been stopped, international courts should follow the example of the Italian court and others that have opened investigations and immediately investigate these actions and prosecute them to the full extent of international law.