EU lawmakers to set up CIA prisons inquiry

The European Parliament decided yesterday to investigate allegations that the CIA used European states to transport and detain terrorism suspects illegally.

The US Central Intelligence Agency is alleged to be operating secret jails in Romania and Poland and covertly flying prisoners through airports in Italy, Germany and Romania.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said the US respects the sovereignty of European countries in its fight against terrorism, but she would not confirm or deny specific reports of CIA secret prisons in Europe.

"The European Parliament is serious and determined about getting at the truth regarding extraordinary renditions through an investigating committee," British Liberal Democrat Baroness Sarah Ludford said.

She said that "if necessary" the assembly would also launch the European Union's sanctions process against member states "which have gravely breached human rights".

Under the EU's ruling treaties, EU states found guilty of serious human rights breaches can lose their voting rights in the bloc's powerful Council of Ministers where governments meet.

Leaders of the political groups in the assembly decided late on Wednesday to set up a temporary committee of inquiry, whose mandate and composition will be decided next month.

Lawmakers approved a resolution expressing concern about the "presumed use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners".

The resolution, which also called for an investigation into the allegations, was passed with 359 votes in favour, 127 against and 32 abstentions.

Earlier this week, the top EU justice official urged lawmakers to wait until Europe's top human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, completed its inquiry early next year before pushing ahead with their own probe.

EU Justice and Security Commissioner Franco Frattini said there was no evidence so far to confirm the allegations, apparently contradicting the Council of Europe's position.