Liberal Democrat Group Leader Graham Watson calls for closure of Guantanamo Bay

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th Jun 2006

Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg this afternoon, European Liberal Democrat Leader Graham Watson called for urgent action from EU Heads of State on Guantanamo Bay.

"After 4 years of incarceration in legal limbo, 3 men detained there took their own lives over the weekend. I urge you to do all you can to ensure Guantanamo is top of the agenda at the EU-US Summit on 21 June".

The US Supreme Court ruling at the end of the month will determine whether or not Military Commissions prove legal to try prisoners. Europe's leaders should use the EU-US Summit to insist that all detainees are tried immediately in internationally recognised courts of law.

ALDE's Leader Graham Watson concluded "There can be no further delay. The European Union, the United Nations and Human Rights Groups around the world have repeatedly demanded that the Guantanamo Bay be closed. From President Bush we need to know when and how."