The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed suit yesterday against a subsidiary of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. They are accusing Jeppesen Dataplan, Inc. of helping the CIA in its "extraordinary rendition" flights to take prisoners to other countries so they can be tortured.
Executive director of the ACLU Anthony Romero said, "American corporations should not be profiting from a CIA rendition program that is unlawful and contrary to core American values. Corporations that choose to participate in such activity can and should be held legally accountable."
The ACLU said Jeppesen was a "main provider of flight and logistical support services for aircraft used by the CIA in the U.S. government's extraordinary rendition program". The lawsuit was filed under the Alien Tort Statute, which allows aliens to bring claims in U.S. courts for violations of international law or treaties.
I applaud the ACLU for this action. Just like individuals, corporations are responsible for their actions. These rendition flights to enable the torture of people the Bush administration doesn't like, are both morally and legally wrong.
I'm sure there are some who would argue that Jeppesen was just trying to make a profit, and shouldn't be held responsible for decisions made by the government. But that argument doesn't hold water.
During the Nuremburg trials at the end of World War II, the Allies, including the United States, made it clear that all major participants in violations of international law are guilty -- not just the decision-makers.
The Boeing subsidiary violated both legal and moral laws by their participation in these foul deeds. They must be held responsible.
No comments:
Post a Comment
ANONYMOUS COMMENTS WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED. And neither will racist,homophobic, or misogynistic comments. I do not mind if you disagree, but make your case in a decent manner.