UN attacks treatment of detainees

THE growing diplomatic row over the al-Qaeda prisoners being held in Cuba intensified yesterday as the United Nations demanded that the detainees’ human rights were respected.

Mary Robinson, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said they were “entitled to the protection of international human rights law and humanitarian law”.

In a clear attack on the US handling of the situation, she added: “I would like to see a strong affirmation that these standards are the fundamental principles of democratic countries and the rule of law, rather than reluctant concessions.”

As 30 more prisoners were flown on to the island from Afghanistan yesterday, taking the total to 80, including three Britons, Tony Blair sought to defuse the escalating crisis by claiming the detainees were being “humanely treated” in accordance with the Geneva Convention. Backbench and opposition MPs gave Mr Blair an uncomfortable time during Prime Minister’s questions over the use of open-air cages and hoods, shackles and sedation.

The commander of the US task force at Guantanamo Bay defended the operation, claiming the prisoners had vowed to kill Americans.

Marine Brigadier General Michael Lehnert said: “These are not nice people. Several have publicly stated here their intent to kill an American before they leave Guantanamo Bay. We will not give them that satisfaction.”

The inmates arriving yesterday had their ankles chained together and wore bright orange jumpsuits, dark jackets, knit caps, surgical masks and goggles that had been blacked out for security reasons.

Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defence Secretary, also launched a staunch defence of the decision to incarcerate the prisoners, saying he did not feel the “slightest concern” at their treatment. He spoke out as the Pentagon signalled a widening of the war against terrorism by sending more than 600 US troops to the Philippines to aid the government in its crackdown on Muslim rebels.

The US forces will help the Philippine army in the fight against Abu Sayyaf, a terrorist group which Washington alleges is linked to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda.

In the US, a grand jury yesterday filed nine charges against Richard Reid, 28, the so-called shoe bomber, who could end his days in a US jail if convicted after he was charged with the attempted murder of 197 people aboard a transatlantic flight.

It was unclear whether Reid could face the death sentence if found guilty, but John Ashcroft, the US Attorney General, warned: “Richard Reid’s case alerts us to a clear warning that al-Qaeda could attack the United States again”.

Reid, who converted to Islam while in jail in Britain for a string of muggings, was also indicted for the attempted use of a “weapon of mass destruction” – the explosives hidden in his shoes. He was overpowered last month by flight attendants and passengers on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami as he allegedly tried to light a fuse sticking out of his shoe. It is claimed the shoes carried explosives powerful enough to punch a hole in the fuselage of a plane carrying 183 passengers and 14 crew.

Mr Ashcroft said the charges filed against Reid, from Bromley, will carry a minimum five life sentences.

Reid’s fate may have been sealed by a US reporter’s scoop in Kabul – the purchase of two computers bought for about 700 from a looter. Said to have been found in an abandoned al-Qaeda office, they contained 1,750 video and text files.

Among them was a report on a scouting operation by an al-Qaeda operative called “brother Abdul Ra’uff”. His movements – including trips to Israel, Turkey and Pakistan – matched those of Reid and it is thought likely Ra’uff and Reid are one and the same. Ra’uff flew to Israel and photographed potential targets. The report noted how his European passport made movement much easier.