WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt announced today that the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight will hold a joint hearing Tuesday at 2pm to examine the concerns of European officials regarding the practice of apprehending, transporting and detaining suspected terrorists in Europe.

Delahunt is Chairman of the oversight panel and will conduct the joint hearing with the Subcommittee on Europe Chaired by U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler of Florida.  It will be held on Tuesday April 17, 2007 2pm at Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office building.

“The apprehension, detention and interrogation of alleged terrorist suspects in secret facilities overseas has been characterized by the Bush Administration as a vital tool in its war on terrorism.  Yet this controversial practice has generated widespread criticism and condemnation from human rights organizations and even our own allies.  This hearing will help us understand how this policy works, to learn first-hand the concerns of our allies and its overall effectiveness,” Delahunt said today.  

Among those appearing before the committee will be:

Mr. Jonathan Evans, Member, European Parliament,
Chairman, European Parliament Delegation for Relations with the United States

Mr. Claudio Fava, Member, European Parliament
Author, Report on the Alleged Use of European Countries by the CIA for the Transportation and Illegal Detention of Prisoners

Baroness Sarah Ludford, Member, European Parliament
Vice-Chair, Temporary Committee on the Alleged Use of European Countries by the CIA for the Transportation and Illegal Detention of Prisoners

Ms. Julianne Smith
Director and Senior Fellow, Europe Program
Center for Strategic and International Studies

Mr. Michael F. Scheuer
Former Chief, Bin Laden Unit
Central Intelligence Agency

To view a webcast of the hearing please click here and click on “Live Webcast”.   Also, CSPAN 2 may cover the hearing live. 

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