EU and US must "practice what we preach"

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 4th Sep 2003

The EU and US could and should be a formidable team driving up human rights standards worldwide, but only if they get serious about it.

Speaking yesterday in a human rights debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, London's Liberal Democrat Euro-MP, Baroness Sarah Ludford said:

"EU states must stop thinking it's no-one's business but theirs if their citizens die in custody or asylum-seekers seeking refuge in their country are subject to racist attacks.

"And the US cannot take the moral high ground preaching about democracy and the rule of law while it keeps 700 people - including almost 20 Europeans - incarcerated with no hope of a fair trial and facing the death penalty."

Sarah specifically drew attention to the case of one of her constituents, Feroz Abbasi from Croydon, who is one of the EU nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay by the US government, and called for open trials in civilian courts for these men.

Added Sarah:

"If the EU and US want to be a powerful force to protect the weak internationally, they must stop the ' war on terror' becoming an onslaught on civil liberties. They must stop hypocrisy, in order to be credible in what they do and say at home and abroad."

There will be a public hearing on Guantanamo Bay detainees on 30th September at the European Parliament which will raise these concerns and give a voice to the attorneys and family members of the detainees.

Related Link:

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