Spain may accept Guantanamo Bay detainees

Spain has told the United States that in principle, it is open to accepting some prisoners currently being held at Guantanamo Bay when the military base shuts down, according to a recent edict by president Barack Obama.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos stated that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asked for his country’s help. «I responded that Spain, in principle, is open to collaborating in accepting some prisoners as long as the legal conditions, when they are transferred, are acceptable,» said Moratinos.

Aid groups say that there is an urgent need to find new homes for about 55-60 international detainees who face an uncertain future in their home countries.

This highlights the problems that unjust practices at Guantanamo Bay have created internationally, and the security benefits of fighting terrorism instead through fair and transparent justice systems.

February 25-26, 2009

CBC/Radio Canada: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/02/25/spain-guantanamo.html

Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLQ874527