Bureau of Public Affairs
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 15, 2009
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Following is the text of a Joint Statement of the European Union and its member states and the United States of America on the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and future counterterrorism cooperation, based on shared values, international law, and respect for the rule of law and human rights.
Begin Text:
The European Union and the United States share fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and respect for international law, the rule of law and human rights. We, the leaders of the European Union and the United States of America, refer to the longstanding tradition of humanitarian assistance that is shared by the European Union and its Member States and the United States of America, our commitment to security, and our deep and abiding friendship. Efforts to combat terrorism should be conducted in a manner that comports with the rule of law, respects our common values, and complies with our respective obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, refugee law, and humanitarian law. We consider that efforts to combat terrorism conducted in this manner make us stronger and more secure.
Closure of Guantanamo:
We note the positive actions taken by the President of the United States of America when he ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility by January 22, 2010.
We welcome the determination of the United States of America to close the facility together with other steps taken, including the intensive review of its detention, transfer, trial and interrogation policies in the fight against terrorism and increased transparency about past practices in regard to these policies, as well as the elimination of secret detention facilities.
We reaffirm that the primary responsibility for closing Guantanamo and finding residence for the former detainees rests with the United States. (full text)
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 15, 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following is the text of a Joint Statement of the European Union and its member states and the United States of America on the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and future counterterrorism cooperation, based on shared values, international law, and respect for the rule of law and human rights.
Begin Text:
The European Union and the United States share fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and respect for international law, the rule of law and human rights. We, the leaders of the European Union and the United States of America, refer to the longstanding tradition of humanitarian assistance that is shared by the European Union and its Member States and the United States of America, our commitment to security, and our deep and abiding friendship. Efforts to combat terrorism should be conducted in a manner that comports with the rule of law, respects our common values, and complies with our respective obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, refugee law, and humanitarian law. We consider that efforts to combat terrorism conducted in this manner make us stronger and more secure.
Closure of Guantanamo:
We note the positive actions taken by the President of the United States of America when he ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility by January 22, 2010.
We welcome the determination of the United States of America to close the facility together with other steps taken, including the intensive review of its detention, transfer, trial and interrogation policies in the fight against terrorism and increased transparency about past practices in regard to these policies, as well as the elimination of secret detention facilities.
We reaffirm that the primary responsibility for closing Guantanamo and finding residence for the former detainees rests with the United States. (full text)
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