US embassy cable - 05GENEVA2732

UNCLAS GENEVA 002732 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR IO/SHA, DRL/MLA, L/HRR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, UNHCR 
SUBJECT: FIVE SRS NOTIFYING UNITED STATES THEY ARE 
REQUESTING VISIT TO UNITED KINGDOM TO MEET WITH FORMER 
DETAINEES 
 
REF:  A. GENEVA 2630 and previous 
 
1.  Mission received the following communication from the 
five Special Rapporteurs who are conducting an investigation 
on detainees at Guantanamo regarding their intention to seek 
cooperation from the Governments of Afghanistan, France, 
Morocco, Pakistan and Spain to allow them access so that 
they can interview former detainees.  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: 
 
3 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 standard 
"Terms of Reference for Fact-finding missions by Special 
Procedures", we also intend to carry out interviews with 
former detainees currently residing in third countries.  In 
this regard, we would like to inform you that we are seeking 
the cooperation of the Governments of Afghanistan, France, 
Morocco, Pakistan and Spain in allowing us access to their 
respective countries to meet and conduct interviews with 
former detainees as well as with their legal 
representatives. 
 
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