NEWS RELEASE
From the office of the Green MEPs


16 May, 2003

EURO-MPs DEMAND ACCESS TO GAUNTANAMO BAY
- EUROPEANS IN US TERROR CAMP HELD 'WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION'

EURO-MP Jean Lambert has called on the US to allow MEPs access to its 'Camp X-Ray' at Gauntanamo Bay, Cuba, to ensure European inmates are being treated lawfully.

Mrs Lambert, Green Party MEP for London, said a European Parliamentary delegation was needed to check prisoners human rights' were being respected and that they would charged and fairly tried in open court or released.

Her comments come as co-presidents of the Green group in Brussels wrote to European Parliament president Pat Cox insisting a delegation be sent to Cuba before any agreement is made between the US and EU on extradition or legal co-operation.

Mrs Lambert, a member of the European Parliament's civil liberties committee, said: "There are still several EU citizens imprisoned at the base, without legal justification under either American or international law, and with little possibility of a fair trial. This situation is unacceptable and paradoxical, given the wish of the US to conclude an agreement with the EU on extradition and legal co-operation.

"MEPs should examine the situation of the detained persons and establish in particular how the European citizens are being treated. It is clear that a refusal from the US would demonstrate a lack of good will on the eve of the
conclusion of an agreement which will undoubtedly carry a weight on citizens' rights."

ENDS

For more information please contact Ben Duncan on 020 7407 6280, 07973
823358 or  press@greenmeps.org.uk


Ben Duncan
Green MEPs' Press Officer
Suite 58, The Hop Exchange, 24 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TY
020 7407 6280 (tel)
0776 997 0691 (mob)
020 7234 0183 (fax)
 press@greenmeps.org.uk


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