Combating Terrorism: Extraordinary Renditions and Advanced Interrogations
Terrorist attacks have been the fiercest, threatening the national security of most countries. Various measures have developed to combat the crime of terrorism by different countries. The most common way of disciplining criminals is the use of judicial procedures where the suspects are proved guilty by the criminal courts and appropriate disciplinary measures applied based on the crime committed. However, other measures are used exclusively by some governments to punish the suspects of terror attacks. Among these methods is the use of extraordinary renditions, which involve surrendering the criminals to another country for interrogation and detention (Horowitz & Cammarano, 2013). This policy entails a method in which individuals suspected to be affiliates of some terrorist groups are transferred covertly to other countries for detention. The policy has been controversial in the United States where some groups tend to oppose it (Murray, 2011). This essay will explain whether extraordinary renditions and advanced interrogations should be used to combat terrorism.
Benefits and effectiveness of extraordinary renditions and advanced interrogations
Extraordinary rendition can have several benefits if it is successfully executed. It involves painful procedures of disciplining criminals, and it may help to minimize terrorist attacks since the attackers will fear being involved in it. This policy has facilitated the fight against terrorism, especially after the 9/11 attack where some terrorists like KSM (Khalid Shaikh Mohamad) were involved in an extraordinary rendition by the U.S (Murray, 2011). Additionally, this policy provides valuable intelligence which improves the capacity of the government in the understanding of the terrorist leadership and various networks they use to plan for attacks. In the US, this policy involves removing the suspects from the streets after a careful analysis by the intelligence unit to disrupt the planning of the attacks (Murray, 2011).
The limitations of using extraordinary renditions and interrogations to curb terrorism
One of the most common challenges of this policy is the persecution of the wrong suspects due to mistaken identities. Some individuals who have been subjected to this painful disciplinary procedure were arrested with confusion to the actual terrorists, and without detailed investigations, they were transferred to countries like Syria where prisoners are not humanely treated. For example, the arrest and punishment of Khaled al Masri by the US was through a mistaken identity (Murray, 2011). There is nothing wrong in arresting any suspect, but the legal procedure for investigation should be followed before taking some measures such as the extraordinary renditions against the suspects. The problem of identifying the terrorist is a big challenge to this policy and its weaknesses have resulted in the spoiling of the US relationship with countries that do not support it (Murray, 2011).
Whether the extraordinary renditions and advanced interrogations should be used in fighting terrorism/ recommendations
Extraordinary renditions involve secretly transferring the suspects of terrorist attacks to countries where prisoners’ treatment does not follow the international judicial procedures (Carnahan, 2007). The detention and interrogations in these foreign countries may force the suspects to accept the allegations even if they never committed them due to brutal harassments. Additionally, this policy involves outsourcing torture to the suspects, some of whom may not be the actual terrorists.
Extraordinary renditions are not executed in a manner that fosters respect for human rights. Furthermore, the policy is not effective in protecting the national security because terrorists do not frequently attack countries that do not use it. Therefore, the policy should not be considered as the only measure against terrorism, and the governments should avoid transferring suspects to foreign countries for ruthless and abusive detention and interrogations. According to the response of Condoleezza Rice, who is the secretary of the States, the government should stop providing some diplomatic assurances of the safety of the suspects as justifications for the use of extraordinary renditions (Murray, 2011). This policy entails infringement on the rights and civil liberty and should not be used.
The policy of extraordinary renditions is executed secretly and involves some agents who act on the behalf of the authority. Additionally, this policy is extra- judicial since it does not involve the legal procedures of mitigating the crime (Horowitz & Cammarano, 2013). Due to ruthlessness involved in the advanced interrogations, the suspects may end up accepting the allegations. Therefore, the method may involve punishing the wrong individuals at the expense of the actual terrorists. Additionally, the policy may be discriminative whereby some suspects who belong to a particular race may be subjected to it while others are not. Furthermore, the type of crime that should warrant such punishment is not clear. Therefore, extraordinary rendition is not a viable tool for combating the terrorism.
The counter- productivity of transferring the suspects for advanced interrogations and detentions can be challenged because there are countries that do not use this policy and there are no incidences of terrorism. Additionally, the arrest and detention of wrong individuals have been reported. For example, al Masri, who was subjected to detention and torture in Afghanistan by the US for almost six months was not a terrorist (Murray, 2011). Because thorough investigations are not conducted before the transfer of the suspects to foreign countries for advanced interrogations, this measure should not be used. After all, it leads to the punishment of wrong individuals while sparing the actual terrorists. Hence, it is not efficient.
References
Carnahan, R. (2007). Extraordinary rendition in U.S. Counterterrorism policy: The impact on transatlantic relations. (2015, May 26). Retrieved June 14, 2016, from https://democrats-foreignaffairs.house.gov/legislation/hearings/extraordinary-rendition-us-counterterrorism-policy-impact-transatlantic
Horowitz, J., Cammarano, S. (2013). 20 extraordinary facts about CIA extraordinary rendition and secret detention. Retrieved June 14, 2016, from https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/20-extraordinary-facts-about-cia-extraordinary-rendition-and-secret-detention
Murray, M. (2011). Extraordinary rendition and U.S. Counterterrorism policy. Journal of Strategic Security, 4(3), 15–28.
