U.N. Calls for Renditions Investigation

A United Nations working group on Monday urged Congress to investigate whether the U.S. government used private contractors to secretly transport terror suspects to clandestine prisons.

The group said it has collected "worrying information" about companies being involved in rendition flights, but provided no other details during a news conference held to discuss the conclusion of its two-week visit to the U.S.

Employing contractors for such sensitive and classified work can undermine accountability for those operations, the group said. Formed in July 2005, the five-member group of independent experts examines allegations of human rights violations by private military and security companies.

Under the rendition program, alleged terrorists are moved from one country to another without formal extradition proceedings. It can involve moving prisoners to the custody of governments where harsh interrogation techniques, including torture, are known to be used. The U.S. government has insisted it does not move prisoners to third countries without assurances they will not be tortured.

Shaista Shameem, the group's chairwoman, said the panel is awaiting further details, but wants Congress to take the lead. "The evidence is what we're waiting for," she said. "But this is something that we also want Congress to launch an investigation into. It's not something that we could delve into during the limited time that we had here."

CIA spokesman George Little said the agency does not comment on "contractual relationships it may or may not have with private firms or individuals." He called rendition "a lawful tool that over many years has taken terrorists off the streets."

The working group said it also was concerned about the Obama administration's objections to a congressional proposal that would prohibit the use of contractor personnel in interrogations. The proposed ban was included in the Senate's version of the 2010 defense authorization bill.

The White House said that in a limited number of cases, a for-hire interrogator may have "the best combination of skills to obtain critical intelligence." Barring them could prevent the U.S. "from conducting lawful interrogations in the most effective manner," the administration said.

But due to the alleged involvement of contractors in "in the ill-treatment of detainees in U.S. custody," the group is calling on the administration to reconsider its position.

Overall, the group credited the U.S. with exercising greater control over security contractors since the September 2007 shooting of Iraqi civilians in Baghdad by Blackwater guards. Blackwater, now named Xe, is no longer operating in Baghdad.

But the group said more needs to be done. Among its recommendations is greater public oversight of contracts awarded by U.S. intelligence agencies.

During its visit to the U.S., the working group met with government officials, members of Congress, public interest groups and security industry representatives.