Finland Urged to Assist Guantanamo Prisoners
Image: Reuters-TV
Many of the prisoners cannot return to their home countries for fear of reprisals. Last spring the EU vowed to assist in the closing of the prison, but so far, no action has been taken.
In an interview with the YLE television programme MOT, UN special rapporteur on torture Manfred Novak says that as the EU presidency-holder, Finland should set an example and offer residence to freed prisoners. He added that EU demands to close Guantanamo bring responsibility to help solve the problem.
Furthermore, EU director at Human Rights Watch Lotte Leicht is calling for Finland to take in freed prisoners who cannot return home.
In an interview with YLE TV News, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said that responsibility does not lie solely in the hands of the EU president. According to Tuomoija, the situation in Guantanamo is more of a matter for the UN. So far Albania is the only European country to have taken in a few freed prisoners.
YLE24