MP BACKS APPEAL FOR FAIR TRIALS AT GUANTANAMO BAY

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 27th Oct 2003

Sue Doughty, MP for Guildford, has joined a delegation of MPs and leading figures presenting an appeal to the American Embassy, calling for action by President Bush, to ensure that Guantanamo Bay prisoners are tried in accordance with due process.

Sue Doughty said "These men have all been captured in the course of military operations. No matter how dangerous or desperate, they are entitled to humane treatment in accordance with customary international law. We cannot expect other countries to treat the law with respect when international law is being ignored so blatantly."

"Those at Guantanamo Bay are being denied the principle of due process which lies at the very heart of the US legal system. I hope that President Bush will listen to the growing sense of unease about his administration's conduct towards the detainees and address the issue."