"Do CIA detention centers exist in Europe? Has the CIA been using European airports to transport terrorist suspects to places where they could face torture? These are two questions that lie at the heart of a new temporary committee to be set up by the parliament," the legislature's Web site reported.

Made up of 46 members of parliament, the committee will also look into whether European governments were aware of these alleged activities, if citizens of the EU or of candidate states were involved, including as victims, in Europe or elsewhere.

The panel has no investigative powers -- its mandate is to collect and analyze information on the allegations. It will work alongside the European human rights body, the Council of Europe.

The committee will submit its first report within four months after it begins work, probably next week.

"No Guantanamo in Europe"