Rice Defends Human Rights Practices at Guantanamo; U.S. Distances itself from the U.N. Human Rights Council; Five Guantanamo Detainees Set to Defend Themselves for Sept. 18 Trial

By Gabrielle Meury
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

REYKJAVIK , Iceland- Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, speaking at a briefing during a visit to Iceland, defended the Bush administration when asked about a resolution adopted by Iceland’s parliament criticizing the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo. Rice advised Icelandic lawmakers to read a report by the Organization for Security in Europe that found no evidence of systematic human rights violations at Guantanamo. Rice stated, “I strongly object to the notion that there are human rights violations at Guantanamo as is suggested by the resolution.”
The resolution has been adopted unanimously by Icelandic legislators, including the foreign minister and prime minister, and condemns the treatment of prisoners. The resolution also urges the U.S. government to close the camp. Rice responded to the suggestion of closing Guantanamo by stating that these prisoners “should not be released on unsuspecting populations.” Rice and other members of the Bush administration have consistently defended Guantanamo and the interrogation tactics employed there, saying that the tactics comply with U.S. law and treaty obligations.  Human rights groups and other critics have consistently disagreed with this assertion.

For more information, please see:
Associated Press- Rice rejects Iceland's criticism of Guantanamo Bay- 30 May 2008

Reuters, UK- Condoleezza Rice Defends Guantanamo- 30 May 2008

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WASHINGTON, U.S.- The U.S. is seeking to distance itself from the U.N. Human Rights Council, stating that it would only engage the council when there was an issue of “deep national interest.” State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack said that the decision was based on mistrust of the forum. “our skepticism regarding the function of the U.N. Council on Human Rights in terms of fulfilling its mandate and its mission is well known. It has a rather pathetic record.”
The 47-member, Geneva-based Human Rights Council was created in 2006 to replace the Human Rights Commission, which was discredited because governments with a record of abuse stifled concrete action. The Human Rights Council has been criticized for failing to act on human rights violations in places like Sudan’s Darfur region.
Juliette de Rivero, Geneva advocacy director of Human Rights Watch, criticized the U.S. for dropping out of the council. “Washington’s hands-off approach to the Human Rights Council undermined it from the start…Whatever the council’s problems, this decision is a victory for abusive states and a betrayal of those fighting for their rights worldwide.”

For more information, please see:
AFP- Washington to limit Contacts with UN Rights Council- 6 June 2008

Reuters- U.S. Distances Itself From U.N. Rights Body- 6 June 2008

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GUANTANAMO, Cuba-Multiple political agendas cloud the trial of five Guantanamo detainees. Prosecutors of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four alleged co-conspirators say that they will be ready to start the trial on September 18, close to the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and around the time U.S. voters will begin looking seriously at election issues such as national security. Political agendas may be effecting both sides of the military tribunal; at the apparent direction of Mohammed, the accused have told the court that they will represent themselves in an explicit rejection of the U.S. legal system, and instead follows “God’s law.” Mohammed has also stated that he welcomes a death penalty in order to “martyr” himself.
Lawyers will remain with the defendants, but only to give them advice on representing themselves. Neal Sonnett, a lawyer representing the American Bar Association, said the defendants’ refusal to accept legal assistance undermines the validity of the commissions. “It can add to the overall sense that these proceedings are less than legitimate.” Chief Prosecutor Col. Lawrence Morris has the opposite view, assuring that, “You will be impressed and stunned with the robustness of the due process, the quality of representation, and the fullness of the ability to test the government’s evidence.”

For more information, please see:
USA Today- Alleged 9/11 Mastermind Goes to Court- 6 June 2008

Time- A Rush to Judgment at Guantanamo?- 8 June 2008