Euro-MP accuses UK Government of Hypocrisy over Guantanamo Bay

2.39.17pm GMT Tue 11th Jan 2005

The Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has confirmed in a Commons statement today that the four remaining British detainees at Guantanamo Bay are to be released after being held there for nearly three years.

Liberal Democrat Human Rights Spokesperson in the European Parliament, Liz Lynne MEP responding to the announcement said this is long overdue but all detainees must be released or charged.

The four include one of her constituents Moazaam Begg. Those who have been released are expected to be questioned by UK police when they arrive back in the country.

Speaking about his release Liz Lynne MEP said:

"I am delighted that at long last Moazaam Begg and the other Britons will be coming home. Those of us who have campaigned for his release including his relatives have only ever asked for all prisoners to be either charged and tried in a court of law or set free.

"Given that the released detainees could be charged under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 it is possible that they could be swapping Guantanamo Bay for Belmarsh Prison. Which means they could be further detained without charge or trial and this would be unacceptable.

"Their release means over 200 people including 9 British nationals have been released since the prison at Guantanamo Bay was created. All these people were held against their will for up to three years without being told why, they were tortured, denied access to family, friends or legal representation and in the end were not charged with any crime. This is a scandal that would not be tolerated by the International Community if any country other than the USA were treating their prisoners like this.

"We must not forget that several hundred other prisoners remain in Guantanamo Bay and we must continue to put pressure on the US government to release of charge every prisoner and those who are charged with crimes should face a fair trial according to international standards of justice."

Liz Lynne also accused the UK Government of hypocrisy given the treatment of prisoners at Belmarsh Prison.

"A spokesperson for the Foreign Office has been quoted as saying 'We have made clear that either the detainees (at Guantanamo Bay) should be tried in accordance with international standards or returned home'.

"Yet at Belmarsh Prison of the 11 people still detained there, 8 have been held without trial since December 2001. It is about time the UK Government practised what it preaches and ends our own Human Rights scandal."

ENDS