Presidential Candidates Must Commit To Closing Abhorrent Camp - Teather

3.42.37pm GMT Thu 10th Jan 2008

Sarah Teather visited Washington to ask American politicians to have Guantanamo closed

Speaking on the sixth anniversary of the opening of Guantanamo Bay, local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather has called on the American Presidential candidates to commit to having the camp closed.

Sarah, who is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Guantánamo Bay, said:

"Protestors are rightly angry that, six years on, Guantánamo Bay remains a devastating scar on America's human rights record. Those of us who believe in democracy and the international rule of law must continue to condemn torture and to defend the basic right to a free and fair trial.

"Guantánamo breaks the very principles that the 'war on terror' purports to defend and is a dangerous recruiting sergeant for terrorism. If we are to make our world a safer place the international community must step up their pressure on America to close Guantánamo as a matter of urgency.

"The international community must also step forward and ask to have their residents home. The return of the British residents was a vital first step, because the reality is that Guantánamo cannot be closed unless the prisoners held there have somewhere else to go.

"I hope that the American Presidential candidates will reflect on their message of change, and accept that one of the best ways to demonstrate change with the Bush years would be to commit to closing this abhorrent camp for good."