EU requests for closure of Guantanamo Bay welcome

Speech by Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP delivered to The European Parliament on Wed 31st May 2006

Sarah Ludford (ALDE). - Madam President, speaking as the constituency MEP for a dozen former and existing Guantánamo Bay residents, I welcome that at last we are hearing a squeak of protest about Guantánamo Bay from EU Foreign Ministers.

One press report of last weekend's agreement to make a request to the US to close Guantánamo said: 'Ministers agreed that Europe can no longer ignore the extensive international criticism of the camp'. It is not exactly ahead of the curve to take four and a half years to make only an informal request. As I understand it, we still have no formal declaration, no common position, and no joint action. However, we are grateful that Foreign Ministers have finally caught up with world opinion. I welcome the public statement here today by the President-in-Office calling for the camp to close.

What we have heard today should have been heard over the last four years. The best way that EU Member States could launch the constructive goal-orientated dialogue with the US - which Mrs Plassnik called for and I agree we need - would be to help this Parliament establish the truth about the extraordinary rendition programme and European complicity in it. I hope that in your response, President-in-Office, you will say that you will help us establish that truth.

The goal that we should seek jointly with the Americans is a return to full respect for international law, not a dilution of it.