by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the
Commission
(24 April 2002)
|
Subject:
Call for rescission of the Bush Administration's Military Order |
E-1272/02EN
Answer
given by Mr Patten
on
behalf of the Commission
(7
June 2002)
The
Commission will closely observe the conduct of any trials before the special
military commissions established by the United States under the Military Order
signed by President Bush on 13 November 2001.
Where appropriate, the Commission will use the existing framework for
translatlantic cooperation to register any concerns that might arise with its
American counterparts.
The
Union also maintains a regular dialogue with the United States in the field of
human rights and will continue to draw on relevant policy instruments in this
context such as the Guidelines to Union policy towards third countries on
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
On
14 May 2002 the Union expressed its disappointment and regret at the United
States decision not to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court. The Commission's view is that
the International Criminal Court would be the appropriate forum in which to try
these cases.