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09/01/2004
Hope for repatriation of Guantanamo Bay detainees
British citizens being held in Guantanamo Bay's Camp Delta are set to be released by the US government, it has been reported today.
According to the Times newspaper, preparations are being made for the release of the first of the camp's nine British detainees. US envoy Pierre-Richard Prosper signalled that repatriation could begin in the coming weeks. At this stage, it is thought that following their return the detainees would be free to return home but would be placed under police surveillance. Mr Prosper said that the US would want to be reassured that the detainees were "managed" following repatriation.
However, it has been claimed today that Home Secretary David Blunkett remains a major obstacle to the swift repatriation of the detainees. The BBC has reported that Louise Christian, a solicitor for one of the British prisoners, said that Mr Blunkett was "fearful" there would be criticism of the government if it were to green-light the repatriation without prosecutions.
Camp Delta currently holds around 600 people who are suspected of being Taleban and Al Qaida members.
Amnesty International has criticised the US for detaining people in conditions which "may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment", and said that the detainees "face severe psychological distress".
According to the human rights group: "None of the detainees have been granted prisoner of war status or brought before a 'competent tribunal' to determine his status, as required by Article 5 of the Third Geneva Convention. The US government refuses to clarify their legal status, despite calls from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to do so. Instead, the US government labels them 'enemy combatants' or 'terrorists', flouting their right to be presumed innocent and illegally presuming justification for the denial of many of their most basic human rights."
Amnesty International has called for the "voluntary repatriation" of all those detained as combatants during the international armed conflict in Afghanistan, as required under the Geneva Conventions".
(gmcg)
According to the Times newspaper, preparations are being made for the release of the first of the camp's nine British detainees. US envoy Pierre-Richard Prosper signalled that repatriation could begin in the coming weeks. At this stage, it is thought that following their return the detainees would be free to return home but would be placed under police surveillance. Mr Prosper said that the US would want to be reassured that the detainees were "managed" following repatriation.
However, it has been claimed today that Home Secretary David Blunkett remains a major obstacle to the swift repatriation of the detainees. The BBC has reported that Louise Christian, a solicitor for one of the British prisoners, said that Mr Blunkett was "fearful" there would be criticism of the government if it were to green-light the repatriation without prosecutions.
Camp Delta currently holds around 600 people who are suspected of being Taleban and Al Qaida members.
Amnesty International has criticised the US for detaining people in conditions which "may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment", and said that the detainees "face severe psychological distress".
According to the human rights group: "None of the detainees have been granted prisoner of war status or brought before a 'competent tribunal' to determine his status, as required by Article 5 of the Third Geneva Convention. The US government refuses to clarify their legal status, despite calls from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to do so. Instead, the US government labels them 'enemy combatants' or 'terrorists', flouting their right to be presumed innocent and illegally presuming justification for the denial of many of their most basic human rights."
Amnesty International has called for the "voluntary repatriation" of all those detained as combatants during the international armed conflict in Afghanistan, as required under the Geneva Conventions".
(gmcg)
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19 February 2004
Five UK detainees in Guantanamo Bay to be released
Five of the nine British nationals held by the US in Guantanamo Bay are set to be released, the BBC reported today. Last month, the Times newspaper reported that preparations were being made for the release of the first of the camp's nine British detainees.
Five UK detainees in Guantanamo Bay to be released
Five of the nine British nationals held by the US in Guantanamo Bay are set to be released, the BBC reported today. Last month, the Times newspaper reported that preparations were being made for the release of the first of the camp's nine British detainees.
05 March 2004
British nationals expected to return from Guantanamo Bay
Five of the nine British nationals held by the US in Guantanamo Bay are expected to return to the UK next week. Last month, The Times newspaper reported that preparations were being made for the release of the first of the camp's nine British detainees.
British nationals expected to return from Guantanamo Bay
Five of the nine British nationals held by the US in Guantanamo Bay are expected to return to the UK next week. Last month, The Times newspaper reported that preparations were being made for the release of the first of the camp's nine British detainees.
10 March 2005
British agents 'not sufficiently well trained' for terror investigations
British intelligence personnel deployed to Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay and Iraq were "not sufficiently well trained" on the Geneva Conventions, a report has found. The report, by the Intelligence and Security Committee, follows an inquiry into the handling of detainees by UK intelligence personnel.
British agents 'not sufficiently well trained' for terror investigations
British intelligence personnel deployed to Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay and Iraq were "not sufficiently well trained" on the Geneva Conventions, a report has found. The report, by the Intelligence and Security Committee, follows an inquiry into the handling of detainees by UK intelligence personnel.
17 February 2006
UN report calls for Guantanamo shutdown
A report from the UN has called for the closure of the United States' detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
UN report calls for Guantanamo shutdown
A report from the UN has called for the closure of the United States' detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
13 August 2003
Talks continue on future of British Camp X-Ray detainees
The future of two Britons among "enemy combatants" being held at Guantanamo Bay's Camp X-Ray was on the table today following another day of negotiations between US and British officials.
Talks continue on future of British Camp X-Ray detainees
The future of two Britons among "enemy combatants" being held at Guantanamo Bay's Camp X-Ray was on the table today following another day of negotiations between US and British officials.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
