WRITTEN QUESTION E-0236/02 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council. Concerns over the 110 prisoners in Guantanamo.
Date: 2002-02-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Afghanistan, Red Cross, United States, human rights, international law, legal status, non-governmental organisation, prison system, prisoner of war

26.9.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 229 E/59

Fortunately, on 20 January 2002 the British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, declared: ‘Prisoners (cid:28) regardless
of their technical status (cid:28) should be treated humanely and in accordance with customary international
law. We have always made that clear and the Americans have said they share this view’.

In addition, on 21 January 2002 the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy,
Javier Solana, said on Spanish television that the treatment of these prisoners should be governed by the
Geneva Conventions.

Nonetheless, from his statements of 20 January 2002 it appears that the US Defence Secretary, Donald
Rumsfeld, does not share Jack Straw’s view; furthermore, reports published on 21 January suggest that
Mr Straw was subsequently ‘corrected’ by his Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Does the Spanish Presidency intend to undertake decisive action aimed at making the US Administration
fully aware of the ideas and principles (cid:28) which Europe is proud to hold (cid:28) upheld by Mr Solana and
Mr Straw?

(2002/C 229 E/064)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0236/02

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(7 February 2002)

Subject: Concerns over the 110 prisoners in Guantanamo

The treatment of the 110 prisoners in the American Guantanamo base in Cuba who are thought to have
had links with the al-Qa’ida network has aroused world-wide indignation. Various international bodies and
non-governmental organisations have protested about both the inhumane transportation and detention
conditions of those in the American base, and the legal regime under which they are being held.

What steps does the Council intend to take to ensure that the conditions of transportation and detention
of the prisoners in Cuba are investigated and that a competent tribunal pronounces on the legal status of
the detainees and,
in particular, whether they are entitled under the provisions of the Third Geneva
Convention to prisoner of war status? How will it ensure that, in any case, their human rights are fully
respected and they are treated humanely, in accordance with the Geneva Convention and the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights?

(2002/C 229 E/065)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0239/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(7 February 2002)

Subject: Violation of the human rights of Afghan prisoners of war

A large number of prisoners of war captured in the Afghanistan war have been transported to the
American Guantanamo base in Cuba, while a small number of prisoners of Algerian origin have been
taken to the American base in Bosnia. There is irrefutable detailed evidence that the treatment of the
is akin to
captives, both during their transportation and their detention at
conditions of captivity in Taliban-type regimes, and certainly not to those in states which are supposed to
defend human rights and respect the international agreements and conventions which they have signed for
the protection of these rights.

the Guantanamo base,

In view of the direct involvement of European Union Member States in the Afghanistan war, what steps
has the Council taken to ensure that the rights of prisoners of war are respected, and what does it intend
to do to ensure that all the prisoners receive impartial justice? Does the Council intend to send observers
to the bases where prisoners are being held, and legal experts to monitor legal procedures during the
administration of justice?