Cablegate: Uk Mps Register React to Guantanamo Suicides

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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLO #4563 1741521
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (508)
O 231521Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6662

UNCLAS LONDON 004563

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV UK
SUBJECT: UK MPs REGISTER REACT TO GUANTANAMO SUICIDES

1. (U) Former Foreign Office Minister Keith Vaz, a Labour Member of
Parliament (MP), introduced a strongly worded Parliamentary motion

on June 12, criticizing press statements by USG officials following
the suicide of three Guantanamo Bay inmates. Thus far the motion
has received support from 60 other MPs. The motion describes the
camp as a "moral disgrace" and calls for its immediate closure.
Finally, the motion "deplores statements by officials of the U.S.
Administration that the suicides were a 'good PR move' or 'an act of
asymmetric warfare' as being indicative of a lack of respect for
human rights and the sanctity of life."

2. (U) The motion - called an "Early Day Motion" (EDM) - will never
be debated in Parliament, but such EDMs are used by MPs as a device
to express an opinion and draw attention to an issue. Vaz
previously raised the issue of Guantanamo in an adjournment debate
in May.

3. (U) Full text of Vaz's EDM follows:

Begin text:

"That this House notes with shock that conditions at Guantanamo Bay
have led to the suicide of three inmates; highlights the fact that
none of these men had been found guilty of any crime in any court of
law and have lost their lives despite their potential innocence;
further notes that those released without trial have made serious
allegations of torture and inhuman treatment; deplores statements by
officials of the U.S. Administration that the suicides were a 'good
PR move' or 'an act of asymmetric warfare' as being indicative of a
lack of respect for human rights and the sanctity of life; believes
that this camp is a moral disgrace; further believes that the camp
is hindering the efforts of the allies in the battle for hearts and
minds and may be aiding fundamentalist propaganda; and calls for the
immediate closure of the camps."

End text.

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