Lynne renews calls to close Guantanamo Bay

12.00.00am GMT Tue 14th Feb 2006

Los Angeles Times suggests treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay is defined as torture according to the UN Convention Against Torture

Liz Lynne, Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands and member of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, today renewed calls for Guantanamo Bay to be closed, after a leaked UN draft report said detainees have been illegally tortured.

The report, published in the Los Angeles Times on Monday, suggests that treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay is defined as torture according to the UN Convention Against Torture. The treatment includes the force-feeding of hunger strikers through nasal tubes and the simultaneous use of several interrogation techniques such as prolonged solitary confinement and exposure to extreme temperatures, noise and light. The UN report also questions the legal status of the camp, and recommends it be shut down.

Euro MPs will debate a motion for an urgency resolution on Guantanamo Bay on Thursday.

Speaking in Strasbourg today, Liz Lynne said "This leaked report provides yet more evidence that what the US is doing in Guantanamo Bay is illegal and in direct violation of basic human rights."

"Guantanamo Bay is not a legal black hole: it is under US control, and therefore the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Torture Convention both apply. The US is obliged under international law to respect fundamental rights and observe due legal process."

"The US government must close Guantanamo Bay immediately, and either bring the detainees to trial, or release them without further delay."

ENDS

For further information, comment or to book an interview, please telephone Liz Lynne on 0033388177521 (Strasbourg) or 077644 52725 (mobile) or the Press Officer Steve Nowottny in Stratford-upon-Avon on 01789 262785.