UN invited to Guantanamo
2005-10-29 12:52
Washington - The United States has invited three UN human rights rapporteurs to its controversial Guantanamo Bay, Cuba detention centre to show that detainees there "are treated humanely", the state department said on Friday.
"The invitation was extended in an effort to broaden understanding of US detention operations and to demonstrate that detainees at Guantanamo are treated humanely," the department said in a statement.
The UN rapporteurs, at the invitation of the defence department, will be allowed to observe Guantanamo operations and question accompanying command staff and US officials, the statement said.
About 500 people are being held at the detention centre without charges as enemy combatants in the US war on terrorism, most of them captured in 2001 in Afghanistan.
The three observers will include a special rapporteur on torture and other cruel and inhumane treatment, one on freedom of religion and faith, and one from a group which monitors arbitrary detentions.
"The visit will include briefings by senior command staff, medical staff, and interrogation staff; visits to cells housing detainees; and observation of operations, including recreation, religious, cultural, medical, and nutritional practices," the department said.
In June UN Secretary General Kofi Annan asked Washington to open Guantanamo to UN human rights experts.