revolutionary spirit
20th January 2002, 14:59
The West at War: CAGED
Briton among Afghan war prisoners
A BRITON is among the 20 Taliban and al-Qaeda fanatics now held in Cuba, it was revealed last night.
Foreign Office chiefs confirmed that the fighter - believed to be in his twenties - was flown from Afghanistan to the US base at the island's Guantanamo Bay.
The latest twist to the war on terrorism came as America faced mounting criticism and accusations of violating human rights in its treatment of the terror suspects at the island jail.
They were spending their second night in tiny outdoor cages after being masked and chained to seats for the 8,000-mile flight.
The US informed the Foreign Office that a UK national had been transferred. A spokesman said: "We are asking for access and seeking reassurance on his welfare and treatment, and whether and how the US authorities plan to prosecute. At present we are trying to ascertain his identity."
America was criticised for refusing to recognise the men as prisoners of war. The US has termed them "unlawful combatants" and claimed they do not have any rights under the Geneva Convention.
Labour MP Donald Anderson, chairman of the Commons foreign affairs select committee, said: "We must show the highest standards and treat them in a civilised way.
"What we've heard already suggests that human rights are indeed being put in jeopardy."
Human rights organisation Amnesty International accused
the US of "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment." A spokesman added: "Housing detainees in 6ft by 8ft chain-link cages at least partially open to the elements would also fall below minimum standards for humane treatment."
The 20 prisoners are the first of 2,000 captives from the Afghan war expected to end up at Guantanamo. It has been dubbed Camp X-Ray due to its bare bones structure.
The cages have concrete floors and are exposed to the elements. Military police keep an eye on the captives from watch towers. The prisoners were dressed in orange jumpsuits and had their hands tied as they were led off the plane.
The men will be quizzed in the next few days before they appear at special tribunals expected to hand down death penalties.
The US defended its actions. Air Force General Richard Myers, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, claimed: "These are people that would gnaw through hydraulic lines in the back of a transport plane."
I saw a picture of them in today's sunday mirror,on their knees,in a pen,blind folded,handcuffed,ear muff things on,and sugrens masks on,so they can't,hear,see,move,or smell.
God Bless America
(Edited by revolutionary spirit at 4:03 pm on Jan. 20, 2002)
Briton among Afghan war prisoners
A BRITON is among the 20 Taliban and al-Qaeda fanatics now held in Cuba, it was revealed last night.
Foreign Office chiefs confirmed that the fighter - believed to be in his twenties - was flown from Afghanistan to the US base at the island's Guantanamo Bay.
The latest twist to the war on terrorism came as America faced mounting criticism and accusations of violating human rights in its treatment of the terror suspects at the island jail.
They were spending their second night in tiny outdoor cages after being masked and chained to seats for the 8,000-mile flight.
The US informed the Foreign Office that a UK national had been transferred. A spokesman said: "We are asking for access and seeking reassurance on his welfare and treatment, and whether and how the US authorities plan to prosecute. At present we are trying to ascertain his identity."
America was criticised for refusing to recognise the men as prisoners of war. The US has termed them "unlawful combatants" and claimed they do not have any rights under the Geneva Convention.
Labour MP Donald Anderson, chairman of the Commons foreign affairs select committee, said: "We must show the highest standards and treat them in a civilised way.
"What we've heard already suggests that human rights are indeed being put in jeopardy."
Human rights organisation Amnesty International accused
the US of "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment." A spokesman added: "Housing detainees in 6ft by 8ft chain-link cages at least partially open to the elements would also fall below minimum standards for humane treatment."
The 20 prisoners are the first of 2,000 captives from the Afghan war expected to end up at Guantanamo. It has been dubbed Camp X-Ray due to its bare bones structure.
The cages have concrete floors and are exposed to the elements. Military police keep an eye on the captives from watch towers. The prisoners were dressed in orange jumpsuits and had their hands tied as they were led off the plane.
The men will be quizzed in the next few days before they appear at special tribunals expected to hand down death penalties.
The US defended its actions. Air Force General Richard Myers, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, claimed: "These are people that would gnaw through hydraulic lines in the back of a transport plane."
I saw a picture of them in today's sunday mirror,on their knees,in a pen,blind folded,handcuffed,ear muff things on,and sugrens masks on,so they can't,hear,see,move,or smell.
God Bless America
(Edited by revolutionary spirit at 4:03 pm on Jan. 20, 2002)