Finland Considers Opening Its Doors to Guantánamo Detainees
Finland says it's not opposed to offering asylum to former terror suspects detained at the US military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
The United States says it wants to close the facility and has asked several countries to offer asylum to about 60 detainees who do not pose a security risk. Finland is considering offering asylum to some of the prisoners.
“To reiterate the words of Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb last week, I can say Finland is open to the possibility. However at this stage, the matter is only under consideration,” said Marjo Lehto, the Director of the Unit for Public International Law at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
”In my opinion, Finland could and should offer asylum to some of the Guantánamo prisoners,” added Martin Scheinin, the UN’s Special Rapporteur.
Sunday marked the seventh anniversary of the opening of the controversial facility. The Guantánamo prison currently houses about 250 detainees.
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