International Law

Lord Goldsmith: Britain should accept Guantanamo prisoners

By John Hirst

Britain should be prepared to accept prisoners from Guantanamo Bay if it would help the Americans close the camp, Lord Goldsmith has said.

"Tony Blair's former attorney general said that the continued existence of the camp, established by the administration of President George Bush following the 9/11 attacks, was damaging the West.

The Government is reported to be considering helping incoming president Barack Obama - who has pledged to shut down the camp - with the re-settlement of former inmates who cannot be returned to their own countries because of the risk of persecution.

Lord Goldsmith said that it was right to do so as part of a wider international scheme to enable the camp to close".

Comment: I would not go as far as saying that Lord Goldsmith has redeemed himself by speaking out on this issue. However, I feel he deserves credit for this in mitigation.

Full post as published by prisonlawinsideout on January 02, 2009 (boomark / email).