Menu
09/03/2004
Britain's five Guantanamo detainees fly home today
Five of the nine British nationals held by the US in Guantanamo Bay are expected to fly home to the UK today.
Home Secretary David Blunkett confirmed yesterday that the five – Tarek Dergoul, from London, Jamal Al Harith, from Manchester, and Rhuhel Ahmed, Asif Iqbal and Shafiq Rasul, all from Tipton in West Midlands – would return to Britain within the next 24 hours. According to reports, the five will arrive at RAF Northolt in Middlesex and will be moved for questioning by counter-terrorism officers.
The four Britons remaining in custody in Cuba – Feroz Abbasi, Richard Belmar, and Martin Mubanga, all from London, and Moazzam Begg, form Birmingham – are being treated differently because they were arrested inside the Afghan combat zone, Mr Blunkett said.
Guantanamo Bay's Camp Delta holds around 660 people. US authorities allege that all the detainees, who are being held without trial, are members of Taleban or Al Qaida. Some of the internees removed from Afghanistan have now been interned for two years.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have been highly critical of the US for detaining people in conditions which "may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment".
The human rights groups point out that none of the detainees have been granted prisoner of war status or brought before a 'competent tribunal' to determine their status, as required by Article 5 of the Third Geneva Convention.
US government officials refer to the detainees as "enemy combatants" or "terrorists", and, according to an Amnesty International spokesperson, by so doing the US are "flouting their right to be presumed innocent and illegally presuming justification for the denial of many of their most basic human rights".
(gmcg)
Home Secretary David Blunkett confirmed yesterday that the five – Tarek Dergoul, from London, Jamal Al Harith, from Manchester, and Rhuhel Ahmed, Asif Iqbal and Shafiq Rasul, all from Tipton in West Midlands – would return to Britain within the next 24 hours. According to reports, the five will arrive at RAF Northolt in Middlesex and will be moved for questioning by counter-terrorism officers.
The four Britons remaining in custody in Cuba – Feroz Abbasi, Richard Belmar, and Martin Mubanga, all from London, and Moazzam Begg, form Birmingham – are being treated differently because they were arrested inside the Afghan combat zone, Mr Blunkett said.
Guantanamo Bay's Camp Delta holds around 660 people. US authorities allege that all the detainees, who are being held without trial, are members of Taleban or Al Qaida. Some of the internees removed from Afghanistan have now been interned for two years.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have been highly critical of the US for detaining people in conditions which "may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment".
The human rights groups point out that none of the detainees have been granted prisoner of war status or brought before a 'competent tribunal' to determine their status, as required by Article 5 of the Third Geneva Convention.
US government officials refer to the detainees as "enemy combatants" or "terrorists", and, according to an Amnesty International spokesperson, by so doing the US are "flouting their right to be presumed innocent and illegally presuming justification for the denial of many of their most basic human rights".
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
16 December 2004
Foreign detainees win human rights appeal in Lords
The UK's highest court, the Law Lords, have ruled that detaining foreign nationals without trial is in contravention of European human rights laws. In an eight to one majority ruling, the Law Lords decision is a severe blow to the Government's Anti-terrorisn, Crime and Security Act.
Foreign detainees win human rights appeal in Lords
The UK's highest court, the Law Lords, have ruled that detaining foreign nationals without trial is in contravention of European human rights laws. In an eight to one majority ruling, the Law Lords decision is a severe blow to the Government's Anti-terrorisn, Crime and Security Act.
13 October 2006
Beckett criticises Guantanamo detentions
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has mounted an attack on the continuing operation of the US detention camp in Guantamo Bay.
Beckett criticises Guantanamo detentions
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has mounted an attack on the continuing operation of the US detention camp in Guantamo Bay.
19 September 2003
Government publishes annual report on human rights
The government's response to human rights challenges around the world over the last year has published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Report on Human Rights. The human rights situation in Iraq is one of the major elements of the report, and the government has outlined two strands to its human rights policy in Iraq.
Government publishes annual report on human rights
The government's response to human rights challenges around the world over the last year has published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Report on Human Rights. The human rights situation in Iraq is one of the major elements of the report, and the government has outlined two strands to its human rights policy in Iraq.
16 September 2010
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
