FOUR SRS NOTIFYING UNITED STATES THAT THE SR ON

UNCLAS GENEVA 001669 SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/SHA, DRL/MLA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM UNHRC SUBJECT: FOUR SRS NOTIFYING UNITED STATES THAT THE SR ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF WILL TAKE PART IN GUANTANAMO INVESTIGATION REF: A. GENEVA 1660 ¶B. GENEVA 1623 ¶C. GENEVA 1284 ¶1. Mission received the following communication from the four Special Rapporteurs who have requested to visit the detention facilities in Guantanamo and the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Asma Jahangir, informing the United States that Ms. Jahangir will participate in the investigation regarding the situation in Guantanamo mentioned in ref A. The letter and the attachments have been e-mailed to IO/SHA and this communication will be included on #10 on the 2005 correspondence log. ¶2. Begin text of letter: Geneva, 5 July 2005 Excellency, We have the honour to write to you in our respective capacities as Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Special Rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers, and Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Given information that suggests the situation of detainees in Guantanamo Bay raises issues that are relevant to the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, we wish to inform you that Asma Jahangir is joining the investigation that was announced in the press release of 23 June and confirmed by letter dated 28 June. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration. Manfred Nowak Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Leila Zerrougui Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Paul Hunt Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health Leandro Despouy Special Rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers Asma Jahangir Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief End text of letter. ¶3. Comment: The addition of Ms. Jahangir to the investigation is not surprising as she has already requested information regarding allegations of the desecration of the Koran (ref C) and later conveyed her desire to visit Guantanamo (ref B). As stated in ref A, these Special Rapporteurs will continue to request an invitation to visit Guantanamo until a definitive response is provided by the USG and therefore, Mission sees no value in responding to these Guantanamo specific requests until that decision is made. MOLEY