Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 3

Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

206 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the Government of the United States of America, the unlawful detention at Guantanamo Bay of six Algerian men arrested by Bosnian Federation Police in January 2002. [17524/03]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

210 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on reports that US authorities plan to execute POWs held in detention in Guantanamo Bay. [17642/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 210 together.

The Government has made clear to the US authorities its concern that the detainees in Guantanamo Bay be treated in accordance with the provisions of international human rights and humanitarian law. This concern is shared by our partners in the EU and by a number of other states.

I understand that the US authorities are in the process of setting up military commissions before which selected persons currently detained at Guantanamo Bay may be tried for terrorist activities. I continue to hold the view, previously expressed to the US authorities and others, that it is important to maintain the highest international standards at all times.

I am aware of recent media reports of a possible use of the death penalty in relation to detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Ireland's position on the death penalty is well known to the US authorities. Ireland is among those countries which have outlawed the death penalty and, together with our partners in the EU, we remain firmly opposed to the death penalty in all cases, irrespective of the circumstances involved. The Government believes that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights, and are committed to achieving its universal abolition.

In conjunction with our EU partners, and in accordance with the common EU guidelines on the issue of the death penalty, we have expressed our concern to the government of the United States at the continued use of the death penalty on a number of occasions by means of general and case-specific demarches and will continue to do so. The Government is of the view that these approaches at EU level carry greater significance than individual bilateral interventions.

Question No. 207 withdrawn.