US embassy cable - 05GENEVA2812

UNCLAS GENEVA 002812 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR IO/SHA, DRL/MLA, L/HRR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, UNHRC-1, 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