The Muslim Parliament of Great Britain

12 November 2003

Immediate Press Release

Minister Snubs Guantanamo Bay Campaigners             

A meeting between Baroness Symons, Minister of State at the Foreign Office and campaigners and members of the families of several Guantanamo Bay detainees from Britain, was suddenly postponed by the Foreign Office in a surprise move yesterday. Baroness Symons cited “urgent business" as the reason for the postponement. The delegation was due to include Dr Siddiqui, Leader of the Muslim Parliament, Hugo Charlton, a barrister and Chair of the Green Party, as well as veteran civil rights solicitor, Gareth Peirce, who represents a number of the detainees from Britain.

The campaigners, who had been due to meet with the Minister on Wednesday 12 October have their own theories about the real reasons for the move. Hugo Charlton commented “this clearly shows just how touchy the issue whole issue of Guantanamo Bay is to this Government, with the state visit by George Bush less than a week away.  The implication is that the plight of the detainees, many of whom have now been held for two years without due process, is very low down on her priority list. The Government seems increasingly to abrogating any real responsibility for upholding the human rights
of those detained by its US coalition partners.”

An alternative date in December has been offered. Dr Siddiqui said “although we been offered a new date to meet with the Minister, well after President Bush has departed, there are now conditions attached. We have been asked to limit our representation to the lawyers and representatives for two of the families. When we met previously with her, we flagged up a range of concerns, including the alleged use of torture, the deteriorating mental health of detainees, representation of British residents and the criminalisation of the Muslim community in Britain and overseas.

We are deeply concerned that Baroness Symons apparently wishes to avoid the unpalatable political and human rights issues raised by Guantanamo Bay. This Government should face these head on. Tony Blair must make clear to the President the concerns shared by a wide range of opinion about the violations of human rights and international law that are part and parcel of Guantanamo Bay."   

[Ends]

For further information please contact:

Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui 0208 563 1995/ 07860 259 289