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