Report on alleged illegal detentions and rendition flights in Europe

“Europe appears to be a happy hunting ground for foreign security services” claimed Terry Davis, Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, in a press conference yesterday to announce the publication of the Council's report under Article 52 of the European Convention on Human Rights on alleged illegal detentions and rendition flights in Europe. The Secretary General found that most European countries lack legal provisions to ensure an effective oversight over the activities of foreign agencies on their territory and that procedures in place to monitor who and what is moving through European airports and airspace do not provide adequate safeguards against abuse. The report and related materials, including individual countries' responses to the Secretary General's questions, are available at the Council of Europe's web site: http://www.coe.int/T/E/Com/Files/Events/2006-cia/