Erklärungsnot im State Department zu PFC Manning und den Menschenrechten

Sunday, 17 April 2011 20:28

AP writer pwned State Department on Human Rights Abuse of Bradley Manning

Der Sprecher des US-amerikanischen Aussenministeriums gerät in arge Erklärungsnöte, als AP-Mann Matthew Lee und Reuters Journalist Arshad Mohammed von ihm nähere Auskünfte über die Ablehnung eines Besuchs eines UN-Sonderberichterstatters bei PFC Bradley Manning haben wollen.

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"QUESTION: Can you explain why, if the United States is proud of its human rights record, that the UN special rapporteur has complained that you’re not allowing him independent access to Bradley Manning?

MR. TONER: We’ve been in contact with the UN special rapporteur. We’ve had conversations with you in terms of access to –

QUESTION: With me?

MR. TONER: I’m sorry. We’ve had conversations with the special rapporteur. We’ve discussed Bradley Manning’s case with him. But in terms of visits to PFC Manning, that’s something for the Department of Defense.

QUESTION: And the ICRC with the same problem? You are – the State Department is the direct contact with the ICRC. At least it was for the Guantanamo inmates. Have you had any contact with them?

MR. TONER: I’m not aware. I don’t know. I’d have to look into that. But in terms of the UN special rapporteur, we’ve had conversations with him. We have ongoing conversations with him. But in terms of access to Manning, that’s something for the Department of Defense.

QUESTION: If you welcome scrutiny, where’s the harm?

MR. TONER: I said we’re having conversations with him. We’re trying to work with him to meet his needs. But I don’t understand the question.

QUESTION: Well, you said you welcome scrutiny from outsiders of the United States human rights record –

MR. TONER: Right. We do.

QUESTION: -- that you feel that it speaks to the strength of the U.S. system. So why does it take very lengthy conversations to agree to let a UN special rapporteur have access to an inmate?

MR. TONER: Well, again, for the specific visitation requests, that’s something that Department of Defense would best answer. But look, we’ve been very clear that there’s a legal process underway. We’ve been forthright, I think, in talking about Private – PFC Manning’s situation. We are in conversations, ongoing conversations with the special rapporteur. We have nothing to hide. But in terms of an actual visit to Manning, that’s something that DOD would handle."

Hier geht's zum Transkript des Briefings.

Sogar der Menschenrechtsausschuss des Deutschen Bundestages sah sich genötigt bei Herrn Obama in einem Brief anzufragen (.pdf), wie es denn mit der Einhaltung der Menschenrechte in der besten und freiesten Nation der Erde aussieht.