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Die USA verstoßen gegen die Menschenrechts- und Anti-Folter-Konvention

UN-Report über die Situation der Gefangenen auf Guantánamo-Bay vorgelegt - Die wichtigsten Schlussfolgerungen und Empfehlungen (CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS)

Zeitgleich zur Präsentation des Reports einer unabhängigen Kommission der Vereinten Nationen Mitte Februar kamen neue Meldungen über Misshandlungen aus dem Irak. Im Folgenden berichten wir über den UN-Report und dokumentieren die Schlussfolgerungen und Empfehlungen, die diesen Report abschließen (in Englisch).



Guantanamo-Lager am Pranger

USA weisen alle Vorwürfe gegen Gefangenenlager auf Kuba zurück / Auch Annan fordert Schließung

Von Max Böhnel, New York*

Den Bericht der UN-Sonderermittler über das berüchtigte Guantanamo-Lager auf Kuba, dessen sofortige Schließung sie am Donnerstag [16. Februar 2006] forderten, haben die USA-Behörden erwartungsgemäß abgelehnt. Doch auch UN-Generalsekretär Kofi Annan wandte sich wie Amnesty International gestern gegen Washingtons Politik.

Das Lager in der Guantanamo-Bay sei »unverzüglich« zu schließen, hieß es in dem 54 Seiten starken UN-Bericht. Bis dahin habe sich die USA-Regierung jeglicher Form von »Folter oder grausamer, unmenschlicher oder erniedrigender Behandlung, religiöser Diskriminierung und Verletzungen des Rechts auf Gesundheit und der Religionsfreiheit« zu enthalten.

Erwartungsgemäß wandte sich die Bush-Regierung gegen die Forderung. Im Anhang des Reports findet sich eine vorläufige Antwort des USA-Botschafters bei den Vereinten Nationen in Genf. Bei der Kritik der US-amerikanischen Praktiken auf dem Stützpunkt in Guantanamo handele es sich um Schlussfolgerungen, die auf selektiver Wahrnehmung beruhten, so Kevin Edward Moley. Vor allem die Einschätzung der Zwangsernährung von Hungerstreikenden, die die Menschenrechtsexperten zurecht als »Maßnahmen, die an Folter heranreichen«, bezeichneten, würden jeder Grundlage entbehren. Für die Washingtoner Regierung sei es »höchst befremdlich, dass ihre Praxis, das Leben und die Gesundheit von Gefangenen aufrechtzuerhalten, von den Sonderberichterstattern rundum verurteilt und als Verletzung von Menschenrechten und medizinischer Ethik dargestellt« werde. Darüber hinaus habe der Ausschuss eine Einladung der USA, Guantanamo in Augenschein zu nehmen, abgelehnt. Tatsächlich hatten sich die fünf Experten geweigert, das Lager aufzusuchen – nachdem ihnen die Erlaubnis, mit Gefangenen zu sprechen, verweigert worden war.

Der Bericht ist nicht als offizielles Dokument im Namen des UN-Generalsekretärs Kofi Annan oder der UN-Menschenrechtskommissarin Louise Arbour zu werten. Es handele sich um ein Papier, das von unabhängigen Experten erstellt worden sei, darauf hatte Annan-Sprecher Stephane Dujarric vor der Veröffentlichung am Dienstag [14. Februar 2006] hingewiesen. Dessen ungeachtet schloss sich Kofi Annan nun vor Journalisten in New York den Forderungen des Reports an. »Früher oder später wird es nötig sein, Guantanamo zu schließen. Es wird an der Regierung liegen, dies zu entscheiden, und das hoffentlich so früh wie möglich«, sagte Annan. Er stimme nicht mit allem überein, was in dem vorgelegten Bericht stehe, aber »die Grundlagen sind klar: Privatpersonen können nicht beliebig lange festgehalten werden, ohne dass sie vor Gericht gestellt werden. Guantanamo sollte so bald wie möglich geschlossen werden.«

Der Sprecher des Weißen Hauses, Scott McClellan, warf der UNO in Washington Schlamperei vor. Der Report diskreditiere die Vereinten Nationen, »wenn ein Team einen Bericht auf die Schnelle verfasst, ohne sich die Fakten anzusehen«. Die Sonderberichterstatter hätten sich nur mit Unterstellungen beschäftigt, sagte McClellan, denn: »Das Militär behandelt Gefangene human, wie vom Präsidenten angeordnet. Wir wissen, dass es sich bei ihnen um gefährliche Terroristen handelt.«

Die US-amerikanische Sektion von Amnesty International bezweifelt das und schloss sich den UN-Forderungen unverzüglich an. Guantanamo sei sofort zu schließen. Dabei handele es sich aber nur um die Spitze des Eisbergs. Die USA würden daneben ähnliche Gefängnisse wie auf der Bagram-Airbase in Afghanistan, in Abu Ghoreib und anderswo in Irak sowie weltweit an geheim gehaltenen Orten, so genannten »black sites«, betreiben. Die Forderung nach der Schließung von Guantanamo könne nur ein Anfang sein. Wenn die USA ungestraft Menschenrechtsverletzungen begehen könnten, so sei dies auch ein beängstigendes Signal für andere Regime, im Namen des »Gegenterrorismus« nach Belieben misshandeln und foltern zu dürfen.

* Aus: Neues Deutschland, 18. Februar 2006



Commission on Human Rights: independent experts issue report on Guantanamo detainees

16 February 2006 – Five independent human rights experts with mandates from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights today called on the United States to close the Guantánamo Bay detention centre and either bring all detainees to trial or release them without further delay, according to a joint report released today in Geneva.

“Terrorism suspects should be detained in accordance with criminal procedure that respects the safeguards enshrined in relevant international law,” the five experts – specializing in issues related to arbitrary detention, freedom of religion, the right to health, torture and the independence of judges and lawyers – said in a press statement issued in conjunction with the release of the report.

In New York, Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressed, in response to questions from the press, that the authors of the report gathered their own information, did their own analysis and made their own conclusions, and that he could not agree with everything in such a lengthy report.

“But the basic point that one cannot detain individuals in perpetuity and that charges have to be brought against them and be given a chance to explain themselves and prosecute a charge or release them I think is common under any legal system,” Mr. Annan said.

“I think sooner or later there will be a need to close Guantanamo and it will be up to the Government to decide and I hope they will do it as soon as possible,” he added.

Reiterating his general position on the issue, he said: “The basic premise that we need to be careful to have a balance between effective action against terrorism and individual liberties and civil rights I think is valid.”

Earlier, Mr. Annan’s spokesman underscored the independence of the experts, officially known as Rapporteurs, and that it would be would be now up to the Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights to decide on the next steps. The report will be taken up by the 53-member body at its next session, which is scheduled to start on 13 March.

In releasing the report, the experts expressed “utmost concern” over attempts by the US to redefine torture in the framework of the struggle against terrorism. “The interrogation techniques authorized by the Department of Defence, particularly if used simultaneously, amount to degrading treatment,” their statement said.

Their conclusions followed a six-month study based on information from the US Government, interviews conducted with former Guantánamo detainees currently residing or detained in France, Spain and the United Kingdom and responses from lawyers acting on behalf of some current detainees. They also relied on information available in the public domain, including in declassified official US documents.

The experts voiced regret that the Government did not allow them the opportunity to have free access to detainees in Guantánamo Bay and carry out private interviews, as provided by the terms of reference accepted by all countries they visit. For that reason, in November 2005, they declined a US invitation to visit the centre, they said.

The five experts, who serve the Commission in an unpaid, personal capacity, are: Chairman Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Leila Zerrougui; Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Leandro Despouy; the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Manfred Nowak; the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir, and the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Paul Hunt.

Quelle: Website der UNO; www.un.org




Schlussfolgerungen und Empfehlungen - Der letzte Teil des UN-Reports zur Situation der Gefangenen auf Guantánamo-Bay (englisch)

VII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS**

A. Conclusions

83. International human rights law is applicable to the analysis of the situation of detainees in Guantánamo Bay. Indeed, human rights law applies at all times, even during situations of emergency and armed conflicts. The war on terror, as such, does not constitute an armed conflict for the purposes of the applicability of international humanitarian law. The United States of America has not notified to the Secretary-General of the United Nations or other States parties to the treaties any official derogation from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or any other international human rights treaty to which it is a party.

84. The persons held at Guantánamo Bay are entitled to challenge the legality of their detention before a judicial body in accordance with article 9 of ICCPR, and to obtain release if detention is found to lack a proper legal basis. This right is currently being violated, and the continuing detention of all persons held at Guantánamo Bay amounts to arbitrary detention in violation of article 9 of ICCPR.

85. The executive branch of the United States Government operates as judge, prosecutor and defence counsel of the Guantánamo Bay detainees: this constitutes serious violations of various guarantees of the right to a fair trial before an independent tribunal as provided for by article 14 of the ICCPR.

86. Attempts by the United States Administration to redefine “torture” in the framework of the struggle against terrorism in order to allow certain interrogation techniques that would not be permitted under the internationally accepted definition of torture are of utmost concern. The confusion with regard to authorized and unauthorized interrogation techniques over the last years is particularly alarming.

87. The interrogation techniques authorized by the Department of Defense, particularly if used simultaneously, amount to degrading treatment in violation of article 7 of ICCPR and article 16 of the Convention against Torture. If in individual cases, which were described in interviews, the victim experienced severe pain or suffering, these acts amounted to torture as defined in article 1 of the Convention. Furthermore, the general conditions of detention, in particular the uncertainty about the length of detention and prolonged solitary confinement, amount to inhuman treatment and to a violation of the right to health as well as a violation of the right of detainees under article 10 (1) of ICCPR to be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.

88. The excessive violence used in many cases during transportation, in operations by the Initial Reaction Forces and force-feeding of detainees on hunger strike must be assessed as amounting to torture as defined in article 1 of the Convention against Torture.

89. The practice of rendition of persons to countries where there is a substantial risk of torture, such as in the case of Mr. Al Qadasi, amounts to a violation of the principle of non-refoulement and is contrary to article 3 of the Convention against Torture and Article 7 of ICCPR.

90. The lack of any impartial investigation into allegations of torture and illtreatment and the resulting impunity of the perpetrators amount to a violation of articles 12 and 13 of the Convention against Torture.

91. There are reliable indications that, in different circumstances, persons detained in the Guantánamo Bay detention facilities have been victims of violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief, contrary to article 18 of ICCPR and the 1981 Declaration. It is of particular concern that some of these violations have even been authorized by the authorities. In addition, some interrogation techniques are based on religious discrimination and are aimed at offending the religious feelings of detainees.

92. The totality of the conditions of their confinement at Guantánamo Bay constitute a right-to-health violation because they derive from a breach of duty and have resulted in profound deterioration of the mental health of many detainees.

93. There are also serious concerns about the alleged violations of ethical standards by health professionals at Guantánamo Bay and the effect that such violations have on the quality of health care, including mental health care, the detainees are receiving.

94. The treatment of the detainees and the conditions of their confinement has led to prolonged hunger strikes. The force-feeding of competent detainees violates the right to health as well as the ethical duties of any health professionals who may be involved.

B. Recommendations

95. Terrorism suspects should be detained in accordance with criminal procedure that respects the safeguards enshrined in relevant international law. Accordingly, the United States Government should either expeditiously bring all Guantánamo Bay detainees to trial, in compliance with articles 9(3) and 14 of ICCPR, or release them without further delay. Consideration should also be given to trying suspected terrorists before a competent international tribunal.

96. The United States Government should close the Guantánamo Bay detention facilities without further delay. Until the closure, and possible transfer of detainees to pre-trial detention facilities on United States territory, the Government should refrain from any practice amounting to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, discrimination on the basis of religion, and violations of the rights to health and freedom of religion. In particular, all special interrogation techniques authorized by the Department of Defense should immediately be revoked.

97. The United States Government should refrain from expelling, returning, extraditing or rendering Guantánamo Bay detainees to States where there are substantial grounds for believing they would be in danger of being tortured.

98. The United States Government should ensure that every detainee has the right to make a complaint regarding his treatment and to have it dealt with promptly and, if requested, confidentially. If necessary, complaints may be lodged on behalf of the detainee or by his legal representative or family.

99. The United States Government should ensure that all allegations of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are thoroughly investigated by an independent authority, and that all persons found to have perpetrated, ordered, tolerated or condoned such practices, up to the highest level of military and political command, are brought to justice.

100. The United States Government should ensure that all victims of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are provided with fair and adequate compensation, in accordance with article 14 of the Convention against Torture, including the means for as full a rehabilitation as possible.

101. The United States Government should provide the personnel of detention facilities with adequate training, in order to ensure that they know that it is their duty to respect international human rights standards for the treatment of persons in detention, including the right to freedom of religion, and to enhance their sensitivity of cultural issues.

102. The United States Government should revise the United States Department of Defense Medical Program Principles to be consistent with the United Nations Principles of Medical Ethics.

103. The United States Government should ensure that the authorities in Guantánamo Bay do not force-feed any detainee who is capable of forming a rational judgement and is aware of the consequences of refusing food. The United States Government should invite independent health professionals to monitor hunger strikers, in a manner consistent with international ethical standards, throughout the hunger strike.

104. All five mandate holders should be granted full and unrestricted access to the Guantánamo Bay facilities, including private interviews with detainees.

** Es handelt sich in Wirklichkeit um Teil VI; so ist der Teil auch im Inhaltsverzeichnis beziffert. Im Text muss es sich also um einen Druckfehler handeln.

Quelle: Website der United Nations Commission on Human Rights: Situation of detainees at Guantánamo Bay


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