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Obama OK With CIA Rendition

Prez allows abductions, transfers to continue, promises suspects won't be tortured

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 1, 2009 6:50 PM CST

(Newser) – Torture techniques are out and Guantanamo Bay is facing closure, but Barack Obama is keeping one anti-terror tool: rendition, the Los Angeles Times reports. He signed an executive order allowing the CIA to continue the practice of secret abductions and transfers of prisoners to US-friendly nations. "You still have to go after the bad guys," an Obama official said.

But the CIA can no longer hold suspects long-term or ship them off to countries to be tortured. Human Rights Watch has urged Obama to ensure that prisoners are only transferred to nations where they are guaranteed a public hearing. "Producing a prisoner before a real court is a key safeguard against torture, abuse and disappearance," a Human Rights Watch director said.

Barack Obama delivers a speech about terrorism  at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington in this 2007 file photo.
Barack Obama delivers a speech about terrorism at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington in this 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Barack Obama speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.
President Barack Obama speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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It is controversial in some circles and kicked up a big storm in Europe. But if done within certain parameters, it is an acceptable practice. - Obama administration official

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
justme
Feb 3, 2009 6:44 AM CST
Despite glowing words to the contrary, the things that work in the real world are slowly coming back. Wish that Bush had had Obama's friends in the press. PS did you guys ignore the most recent elections in Iraq? Secular parties? Women voting? Maybe a stable democracy forming?
Forderon
Feb 3, 2009 1:31 AM CST
Yea, and thousands of Sunnis turned away from voting by Shiites
TerrifiedCitizen
Feb 2, 2009 1:14 AM CST
When is Human Rights Watch ever wrong? Never.
 

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