Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:361 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has called or will call on the US authorities to close the Guantanamo Bay detention and interrogation facility. [20647/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 21 June 2005
Ceisteanna (340)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government has, on a number of occasions, made known its concerns to the US Government regarding the treatment and status of the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. I reiterated these concerns at meetings with the US National Security Adviser, Steven Hadley, and Deputy Secretary of State, Robert Zoellick, in Washington on 16 March. The United States is well aware of the Government's view that those detained at Guantanamo Bay should be treated in accordance with the requirements of international human rights and humanitarian law. These concerns are shared by our EU partners.
In expressing these views the Government fully recognises the danger posed by terrorist networks such as al-Qaeda. Together with our EU partners, we are committed to countering all forms of international terrorism. However, it is vital that the highest standards of international human rights and humanitarian law are maintained as we work to counter terrorism.
It is my understanding that the International Committee of the Red Cross has regularly visited the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay since early 2002 for the purpose of monitoring that persons held there are treated in accordance with applicable international laws and standards. I welcome the recent release of a number of detainees from Guantanamo Bay and hope that further releases will follow. I also welcome the investigations which have taken place into alleged abuses of detainees.
The closure of this facility has become a matter of political debate in the United States. A decision in this regard is a matter for the US authorities and it would not be appropriate for me to intervene. However, I am sure that in their consideration, the US authorities will seek to take account of international public opinion on the matter. I assure the Deputy that in the Government's future contacts with the US Administration, we will continue to raise the need for detainees to be treated in accordance with international law, for alleged abuses to be fully investigated and for persons found guilty of abusing detainees to be punished in accordance with the law.