§ Harry CohenTo ask the Prime Minister whether the assurances Her Majesty's Government have obtained from the Americans that those captured in Afghanistan are being humanely treated include assurances that those people are being treated in accordance with(a) the Geneva convention and (b) international norms; and if he will make a statement. [30133]
§ The Prime MinisterUS officials have stated publicly that all detainees are being treated consistently with the principles of the Geneva convention.
As the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw) told the House on 21 January, British officials visited Guantanamo Bay between 17 and 20 January and were able to have lengthy discussions with the three British detainees who were all in good physical health and none of whom complained of ill treatment or had medical conditions requiring treatment.
I am satisfied on the basis of the public statements made by the US authorities, together with the report of the visiting British officials, that the detainees are being treated in line with international humanitarian norms.