Extraordinary Rendition, Extraterritorial Detention, and Treatment of Detainees: Restoring Our Moral Credibility and Strengthening Our Diplomatic Standing

"Extraordinary Rendition, Extraterritorial Detention, and Treatment of Detainees: Restoring Our Moral Credibility and Strengthening Our Diplomatic Standing"
Daniel L. Byman

Thursday, July 26, 2007
Time: 9:30 AM
Place: 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Presiding: Senator Biden

Witnesses:

  • Mr. Tom Malinowski, Washington Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch, Washington, DC
  • Major General Paul Eaton, USA (Ret.), Former Commanding General, Office of Security Transition, Baghdad, Iraq
  • Dr. Philip Zelikow, White Burkett Miller Professor of History, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
  • Dr. Daniel Byman, Director, Center for Peace and Security Studies, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Washington, DC

 

“Extraordinary Rendition, Extraterritorial Detention, and Treatment of Detainees: Restoring Our Moral Credibility and Strengthening Our Diplomatic Standing”

"Chairman Biden, Ranking Member Lugar, distinguished members of the
Committee, and Committee staff, I am grateful for this opportunity to speak before you today.
Renditions are a vital counterterrorism tool—so vital, that they must be used
sparingly so they can remain an effective part of the U.S. counterterrorism arsenal. Renditions are troubling because they can exact a high human and diplomatic price, but dangerous terrorists would go free if the program were abandoned. Unfortunately, this flawed instrument is often the only one available. Rather then stop renditions altogether, policymakers should increase the program’s transparency, strengthen oversight efforts, and embed within the process procedures that ensure more accord with the rule of law."