FIVE SRS NOTIFYING UNITED STATES THEY ARE

UNCLAS GENEVA 002732 SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/SHA, DRL/MLA, L/HRR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM UNHCR SUBJECT: FIVE SRS NOTIFYING UNITED STATES THEY ARE REQUESTING VISIT TO UNITED KINGDOM TO MEET WITH FORMER DETAINEES REF: A. GENEVA 2630 and previous ¶1. Mission received the following communication from the five Special Rapporteurs who are conducting an investigation on detainees at Guantanamo regarding their intention to seek cooperation from the Governments of Afghanistan, France, Morocco, Pakistan and Spain to allow them access so that they can interview former detainees. 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: 3 November 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 the independence of judges and lawyers, and Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. We would like to thank you once again for the invitation extended to three of us on 27 October 2005 to visit the Department of Defense's detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station, Cuba. While we are looking forward to visiting the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay in accordance with standard "Terms of Reference for Fact-finding missions by Special Procedures", we also intend to carry out interviews with former detainees currently residing in third countries. In this regard, we would like to inform you that we are seeking the cooperation of the Governments of Afghanistan, France, Morocco, Pakistan and Spain in allowing us access to their respective countries to meet and conduct interviews with former detainees as well as with their legal representatives. Please accept, Dear Ambassador, the assurances of our highest consideration. Manfred Nowak Special Rapporteur on the question of torture Leandro Despouy Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers 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 Asma Jahangir Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief End text of letter. MOLEY