OMEN
02-04-2009, 10:29 AM
Conservative MEPs have warned EU governments that resettling detainees from the Guantanamo prison could entail security risks for its citizens.
Deputies from the conservative EPP-ED group, the largest in the European Parliament, said security concerns should prevail when considering whether to help US President Barack Obama close the jail for terrorism suspects.
President Obama has ordered the closing of the prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba within a one-year deadline.
EU states are considering whether to take in inmates from a group of about 60 who cannot go back to their home country and who the US does not want to accept either.
EU foreign ministers sought this month to set a common line on the issue, but agreed only that each country should decide for itself.
The US considers the 60 cleared for release not to be dangerous.
MEPs from other parliamentary groups disagreed, saying the Union had an obligation to take in some inmates.
The EP has no legal power over the issue but in past debates - notably over the controversy about CIA 'rendition' flights of terror suspects - have been able to force such issues onto the agenda.
The US administration has not yet officially requested help.
The camp, with its special military tribunals, has been condemned as a legal black hole that used evidence obtained by force and denied defendants their rights.
The 60 who may have to be transferred to other countries could face torture or the death penalty in their home countries.
The European Parliament has been debating the resettlement of prisoners detained by the US at Guantanamo Bay.
EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot told MEPs that some of those released would not be able to return to their countries of origin due to fear of torture.
He said that they may need to be sent to a third country adding that some could be accepted by EU member states.
However, he said that EU member states would have to decided on a case by case by case basis.
Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra welcomed US President Barack Obama's decision to review the renditions policy to ensure that it is in line with international law.
He said that taken with the decision to close Guantanamo, this would strengthen counter-terrorism co-operation and would restore a better climate in transatlantic relations.
RTE
Deputies from the conservative EPP-ED group, the largest in the European Parliament, said security concerns should prevail when considering whether to help US President Barack Obama close the jail for terrorism suspects.
President Obama has ordered the closing of the prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba within a one-year deadline.
EU states are considering whether to take in inmates from a group of about 60 who cannot go back to their home country and who the US does not want to accept either.
EU foreign ministers sought this month to set a common line on the issue, but agreed only that each country should decide for itself.
The US considers the 60 cleared for release not to be dangerous.
MEPs from other parliamentary groups disagreed, saying the Union had an obligation to take in some inmates.
The EP has no legal power over the issue but in past debates - notably over the controversy about CIA 'rendition' flights of terror suspects - have been able to force such issues onto the agenda.
The US administration has not yet officially requested help.
The camp, with its special military tribunals, has been condemned as a legal black hole that used evidence obtained by force and denied defendants their rights.
The 60 who may have to be transferred to other countries could face torture or the death penalty in their home countries.
The European Parliament has been debating the resettlement of prisoners detained by the US at Guantanamo Bay.
EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot told MEPs that some of those released would not be able to return to their countries of origin due to fear of torture.
He said that they may need to be sent to a third country adding that some could be accepted by EU member states.
However, he said that EU member states would have to decided on a case by case by case basis.
Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra welcomed US President Barack Obama's decision to review the renditions policy to ensure that it is in line with international law.
He said that taken with the decision to close Guantanamo, this would strengthen counter-terrorism co-operation and would restore a better climate in transatlantic relations.
RTE