Ludford highlights EU human rights hypocrisy

12.00.00am GMT Mon 11th Dec 2006

Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP is criticising the hypocrisy of the 2006 annual report on human rights produced by EU governments under the responsibility of their foreign policy chief and secretary-general of the Council of Ministers Javier Solana.

In the report to be debated by the Parliament on Tuesday, the Council states that 'the EU attaches great importance to guaranteeing the full and effective protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in Europe and in the wider world, in the context of the fight against terrorism'.

Baroness Ludford, who is vice-chair of the European Parliament's temporary committee investigating allegations of CIA 'torture flights' and secret prisons in Europe, remarked:

"These are great words, but the reality falls short. The report risks a charge of hypocrisy by painting a glowing picture of the EU's work to promote human rights and democracy worldwide while failing to acknowledge the true seriousness of allegations of human rights abuses within Europe."

"No wonder MEPs are forced to criticise the Javier Solana for non-cooperation in our draft conclusions on 'extraordinary rendition'. His attitude is betrayed by the failure even to describe accurately the work on of the European Parliament, which it confuses with the parallel Council of Europe parliamentary assembly enquiry!"*

"If the EU cannot even manage to force its member states to seriously investigate allegations of complicity with CIA torture flights and secret prisons, or adequately address other abuses like racism, its moral authority to push the human rights agenda elsewhere is undermined."

Note:

• The report (p17) says: 'The EP carried out an enquiry led by Mr Dick Marty, Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Legal Affairs…..'