The US rendition programme
Amnesty International uses the term “rendition” to describe the transfer of individuals
from one country to another, by means that bypass all judicial and administrative due
process. In the “war on terror” context, the practice is mainly – although not
exclusively – initiated by the USA, and carried out with the collaboration, complicity
or acquiescence of other governments. The most widely known manifestation of
rendition is the secret transfer of terror suspects into the custody of other states –
including Egypt, Jordan and Syria – where physical and psychological brutality
feature prominently in interrogations. The rendition network’s aim is to use whatever
means necessary to gather intelligence, and to keep detainees away from any judicial
oversight.