Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 16 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 September 2003. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 September 2003 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 discussions his Department has had with US officials concerning the possibility of Mr Moazzam Begg and Mr Feroz Abbasi standing trial in a US civil court; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with US officials concerning the possibility of Mr. Moazzam Begg and Mr. Feroz Abbasi standing trial in a US civil court; and if he will make a statement. [127171] Mr. Straw: Mr. Begg and Mr. Abbasi have been designated as eligible to stand trial before a Military Commission, but have not yet been charged. The Attorney-General has recently held a number of rounds of talks with the US Administration. His objective has been to ensure that the British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay, if prosecuted, are assured of fair trials that meet generally recognised principles, wherever those trials take place, and to make clear our opposition to the death penalty. We are discussing a number of options with the US Government. Further talks are planned for the near future.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 410 c284-5W;410 c324-5W; 127171
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Detainees Civil proceedings British nationality Guantanamo Bay Trials USA Afghanistan Abbasi, Feroz Begg, Moazzam
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk