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Amnesty condemns treatment of Guantanamo detainees
The treatment of al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects at a US military base at Guantanamo Bay undermines human rights and may be cruel and degrading, amnesty international asserted.
The treatment of al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects at a US military base at Guantanamo Bay undermines human rights and may be cruel and degrading, amnesty international asserted.
In a 62-page memorandum sent to the US government, amnesty also accuses Washington of flouting international law by refusing detainees access to legal counsel. The US government must ensure that all its actions in relation to those in its custody in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay comply with international law and standards, The human rights group said.
This is crucial if justice is to be done and seen to be done, and if respect for the rule of law and human rights is not to be undermined.
The US embassy in London declined to comment on the report. The camp has been inspected by officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Planeloads of detainees began arriving at the US base in eastern Cuba on Jan. 11. US military officials say that some 300 detainees from 33 different countries are being held.
All the prisoners are suspected of links to Afghanistan's fallen Taliban regime and the al-Qaeda terrorist network, which has been blamed for the Sept. 11 attacks on Washington and New York. Human rights groups have expressed concern that Washington is reserving the right to try the captives on its own terms and in calling them unlawful combatants Instead of prisoners of war - a designation that bring them under the Geneva convention.
Bureau Report
In a 62-page memorandum sent to the US government, amnesty also accuses Washington of flouting international law by refusing detainees access to legal counsel. The US government must ensure that all its actions in relation to those in its custody in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay comply with international law and standards, The human rights group said.
This is crucial if justice is to be done and seen to be done, and if respect for the rule of law and human rights is not to be undermined.
The US embassy in London declined to comment on the report. The camp has been inspected by officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Planeloads of detainees began arriving at the US base in eastern Cuba on Jan. 11. US military officials say that some 300 detainees from 33 different countries are being held.
All the prisoners are suspected of links to Afghanistan's fallen Taliban regime and the al-Qaeda terrorist network, which has been blamed for the Sept. 11 attacks on Washington and New York. Human rights groups have expressed concern that Washington is reserving the right to try the captives on its own terms and in calling them unlawful combatants Instead of prisoners of war - a designation that bring them under the Geneva convention.
Bureau Report