"BUSH IN GUANTANAMO U-TURN"- MEP
July 11, 2006 4:45 PM
Liz Lynne MEP today welcomed the White House's announcement that the US military will treat all detainees, including those at Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre, in line with minimum standards of Geneva Convention.
Commenting on the announcement the Euro-MP and member of the subcommittee of human rights said:
"At last the US government is beginning to listen to world opinion and take action on this abhorrent prison camp. Not only is it illegal, it goes against all the principles of a free and democratic society."
"Last month's ruling by the Supreme Court that the Geneva Convention applied to the detainees of Guantanamo Bay was a real slap in the face for George Bush who has long fought against this principle. Today's announcement is a simple consequence of that ruling and is a real step forward in obtaining basic human rights for these prisoners."
"The only real step left now is for the US government to close this camp completely. The world's leading democracy must been seen as leading the fight for human rights, not undermining them."
It is estimated that there are currently 465 people of 35 different nationalities being held in the camp.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. Eight Britons have been held there since it opened in 2002. All British citizens have now been returned to the UK, but British residents with foreign passports still remain.
2. Evidence gained through torture can be used against the defendant. This goes against the Convention Against Torture.
3. A constituent of Liz Lynne's, Moazzem Begg, was released from Guantanamo Bay detention camp last year and made allegations of torture against the US authorities.
4. On 15 May, the US Pentagon released a list of 759 past and present prisoners, but it is not clear that this list is complete
5. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides that no-one should be subjected to arbitrary detention and that deprivation of liberty must be based on grounds and procedures established by law.
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