FIVE SRS REQUESTING ANSWER TO OCTOBER 31 LETTER

UNCLAS GENEVA 002812 SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/SHA, DRL/MLA, L/HRR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM UNHRC UNHCR SUBJECT: FIVE SRS REQUESTING ANSWER TO OCTOBER 31 LETTER REGARDING THEIR PROPOSED GUANTANAMO VISIT REF: A. GENEVA 2732 and previous ¶1. Mission received the following communication from the five Special Rapporteurs who have been invited to visit Guantanamo. 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: 15 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 the standard "Terms of Reference for Fact-finding missions by Special Procedures" as reflected in our letter dated 3 November 2005, we would very much appreciate your response as soon as possible and in any case not later than 17 November 2005. (U.S. Mission Note: They mean their October 31 letter. The November 3 letter notifies the U.S. of their intention to visit the United Kingdom to meet with former detainees. End note.) Indeed, preparations for such a mission require addressing number of organizational and administrative aspects and given our respective schedules, including other commitments and obligations, we consider that in the absence of a response by 17 November, we will not be in a position to confirm the proposed visit of 6 December 2005. 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