News Releases

Franco Frattini

No. 97/05
November 3, 2005

EU REACTION TO ALLEGATIONS OF CIA DETENTION CENTERS IN EUROPE

Following news reports--which appeared in the Washington Post and Financial Times--about the alleged existence of CIA secret prisons in some of the Member States of the EU and/or Candidate Countries, European Commission Vice President Franco Frattini, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, today made the following statement:

"I have read the press articles and confirm that for the time being the Commission has no available information related to the issue at stake. It is therefore not appropriate for me to comment on those articles.

"In this context however, it is important to recall that the Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, principles which are common to the Member States, as provided for in article 6 (1) TEU [Treaty on European Union].

"Furthermore, all MS [Member States] are bound by their relevant international legal obligations, in particular those deriving from the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the Convention against Torture.

"Moreover, the so-called Copenhagen criteria require, amongst others, 'that the candidate country has achieved: stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities.'

"In full compliance with the above-mentioned principles, I encourage Member States and Candidate Countries to take the necessary steps to look into this matter where appropriate."

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