Blog Post 7: Extraordinary Rendition and "Ghost Detainees"

Extraordinary rendition and “ghost detainees” are subjects that are unknown to a lot of people. I first learned about them earlier this year. When I found out what they were about, I was shocked to hear what occurs when a person is taken under these practices. I will explain the subjects of extraordinary rendition and “ghost detainees.” This should give a good description of what they are all about

According to Sharla Cook, extraordinary rendition is a government policy where terror suspects are transferred from U.S. control into the control of foreign governments so that interrogation methods that are not permitted under U.S. law may be applied to the suspects. The only legal action needed for rendition is suspicion that one is involved in terrorism. Once that is established, that person could be taken into custody. Many of the people taken into custody are innocent but are arrested because suspicion is the only thing needed. Using probable cause increases the chance of actual terrorists being arrested instead of innocent people.

Dan Edge from Frontline says the organization responsible for this form of indefinite detention was the CIA. The CIA would arrest these suspects; they would be bound, gagged and hooded. They would be dressed in a diaper and a jumpsuit. According to Dan Edge, they would be put onto a plane and tied down like enemy combatants. Then, they were taken by plane to a secret location. Upon arrival, they were taken off the plane and driven to the CIA facility. Once there, they were tossed in a cell, alone and shackled. While at these places, they would be left in darkness for days. Dan Edge says that they would be tortured, beaten and sexually assaulted to get intelligence. After awhile, they may be transported to other sites to try and get more information. Dan Edge said that these sites were known as “black sites.” To check the video out go here and watch the three segments.

When apprehended, these people just disappear. I mean they are pretty much kidnapped by the CIA. Some of them disappear completely and they become what is known as “ghost detainees.” John T. Parry explains “ghost detainees” as people who are secretly held and interrogated by the United States or its allies in undisclosed locations and who are outside the protections of domestic or international law in any practical sense. “Ghost detainees” and rendition are issues that are closely related to one another because the detainees are created by the practice of rendition itself. According to John T. Parry, the CIA and other intelligence agencies have custody of up to 100 ‘high value’ detainees held ‘off the books’ in unknown locations.

Rendition and “ghost detainees” are illegal practices. These people are tortured in many different ways and most aren’t even terrorists. If they were terrorists many would say torture is fine because they could give information that could save lives. However, it is my opinion that people need to practice humane treatment of one another. There are many ways to get information without becoming like them. We cannot allow ourselves to become the enemy to beat the enemy. If we do this, we cannot be sure that we do not punish the wrong people. To punish the right people is fine but to harm the innocent is wrong. With that said, illegal and inhumane practices should be removed from society.

Works Cited: Cook, Sharla. CRJ 132: Violence and Terrorism notes. CSUS. 2009. Chapter 17, Detection and Surveillance, and Detention and Treatment of Prisoners.

Edge, Dan. “Extraordinarily Rendition.” 6 November 2007. Online video clip. Pbs.org. Retrieved from: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/video/flv/generic.html?s=frow03p29&continuous=1

Parry, John T. "The Shape of Modern Torture: Extraordinary Rendition and Ghost Detainees." [2005] MelbJIL 19; (2005) 6(2) Melbourne Journal of International Law 516. Retrieved from: http://kirra.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/MelbJIL/2005/19.html#_Ref115180538