Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05GENEVA2812
2005-11-17 06:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
US Mission Geneva
Cable title:  

FIVE SRS REQUESTING ANSWER TO OCTOBER 31 LETTER

Tags:  PHUM UNHRC UNHCR 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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

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