§ Mr. CatonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the term unlawful combatants in relation to detainees held in Camp X-ray, Guantanamo Bay. [118627]
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§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe status of the detainees under international law depends on the facts of each individual case and is ultimately a matter for the US, as the detaining power.
Whatever their status, the detainees are entitled to humane treatment and, if prosecuted, a fair trial. The US has said that the detainees are being treated humanely and consistently with the principles of the Geneva Conventions. We understand that the US has made no decisions on prosecution.
We are pressing the US to come to a decision on the detainees' future.
§ Mrs. LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on when British nationals in Guantanamo Bay will be charged or released. [118472]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe have been informed that the United States authorities have not yet made a decision to charge or release any of the British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay. However, we are in regular contact with the US authorities about the situation of the detainees. We are pressing the United States authorities to move forward with the process of determining the detainees' future and shall continue to do so.