Written question asked by Andrew Dismore (Labour) on Thursday, 14 February 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 February 2002. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 February 2002 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what status has been applied to UK citizens detained in Cuba for alleged Taliban and Al-Qaeda activities.

Answer: Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what status has been applied to UK citizens detained in Cuba for alleged Taliban and al-Qaeda activities. [37806] Mr. Bradshaw: It is for the US as the detaining power in the first instance to take a view on status depending on the facts of each individual case. The US authorities said in their statement of 7 February that they have no doubt that the Taliban and al-Qaeda detainees are not prisoners of war, and that the Geneva Convention requires a tribunal only where there is any doubt. They also confirmed that, notwithstanding the question of status, all detainees would continue to be treated humanely and consistently with the principles of the Geneva conventions.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 37806; 380 c1312W;380 c1314W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Armed conflict British nationality Prisoners USA Afghanistan Cuba al Qaeda Taliban Prisoners' rights
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk