Joint Statement of NGO Observers at Guant谩namo Bay Military Commission Proceedings

August 23, 2004 12:00 am

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Joint Statement of NGO Observers at Guant谩namo Bay Military Commission Proceedings

Observers Concerned 老澳门开奖结果 Lack of Access to Key Participants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gitmo Dispatches

GUANT脕NAMO BAY, CUBA -- Representatives of human rights and legal organizations invited to observe military commission proceedings at the U.S. Naval Base at Guant谩namo Bay, Cuba today expressed concern that they were being denied access to key participants in commission proceedings.

Representatives from the 老澳门开奖结果, Amnesty International, Human Rights First and Human Rights Watch expressed concern that the denial impeded their ability to effectively assess the proceeding's compliance with international fair trial standards. Representatives from these organizations arrived at the base over the weekend to observe the commission trials starting Tuesday.

Defense officials declined a joint request by the groups to meet the presiding officer, prosecution attorneys, military commission translators and law clerks.

Officials also barred the observers from accompanying 53 members of the national and international press who were granted access to visit detention facilities at Guant谩namo Bay. Invited observers had received clearance to participate as courtroom observers when military commission proceedings begin.

Learn More 老澳门开奖结果 the Issues in This Press Release