Madam, - In George Dempsey's article (Dec 13th) in which he claimed that the US does not use or condone torture, he calls for some honesty in the debate about the "rendition" of suspects in the war on terror.
So let's be honest. Flying people who are "snatched up" (to use Mr Dempsey's words) to countries where it is known that they may face torture or other ill-treatment is condoning torture.
We also know that the US uses torture.
The abuses photographed in Abu Ghraib were clear and unambiguous. And reports of abuses continue to emerge from Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and elsewhere. Detainees have been subjected to conditions of prolonged isolation, sleep and sensory deprivation, sexual and other humiliation, mock executions and other threats. That is torture.
This behaviour is also a direct and outright breach of international law, as has been pointed out by Amnesty International, (Seán Love, Irish Times, Dec 10th).
So it is not only I or what Mr Dempsey refers (somewhat disparagingly) to "witless radicals" who believe it is wrong.
The US government has conducted reviews and investigations into some of these incidents, but they have not had the independence or reach necessary.
A full, transparent and independent investigation of crimes must take place to ensure accountability for the human rights violations that may have occurred in US custody, including arbitrary detentions, "disappearances", torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
When these investigations are conducted, and the results made available to all, I might believe Mr Dempsey.
Until then, I am more inclined to believe Amnesty, Human Rights Watch and the many, many other organisations and groups that have documented what is going on in the name of "war on terror". - Yours, etc,
JOHN LANNON,
Raheen,
Ballyneety,
Co Limerick.