On 5th March at 10.00 am at a press conference in the Jubilee Room in the House of Common, London, Terry Waite will announce his views on the US’s treatment of the Guantanamo Bay detainees and launch the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission’s US campaign. On 6th March, a delegationfrom the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission, including Terry Waite, Corin Redgrave and European relatives of detainees is departing from Heathrow to the US.
Photocall Notice
Date and Time: Friday 5th March at 9.30 am
Venue: St Stephen’s Green, outside House of Commons
Subject: Terry Waite with Corin Redgrave and relatives
Of Guantanamo Bay detainees from UK, France
And Germany.
Press Conference Notice
Date and Time: Friday 5th March at 10.00 am
Venue: Jubilee Room, House of Commons, London
Subject: Guantanamo Human Rights Commission plans and aims
For its US visit and campaign, and update on its support including from members of all major UK political parties and senior Muslim, Jewish and Anglican leaders.
Host and Chair: Peter Kilfoyle MP
Speakers: Terry Waite; Sharon Fiddler, sister of returning UK detainee Jamal Al Harif; Rabiye Kurnaz, mother of
German detainee Murat Kurnaz; and Corin Redgrave.
Media enquiries and press conference attendance on 5th March in London
For enquiries, please call Victoria Sabin, Project Associates, on 00 44 207 432 3216 or 07971 430244 or email victoria@projectassociatesltd.com. Please contact Heidi Mallace/Deborah Turner to confirm your attendance by emailing heidi@projectassociatesltd.com.
Further information below about Guantanamo Human Rights Commission
And events planned for the delegation’s visit to the US from 8th-10th March.
The Guantanamo Human Rights Commission’s Visit to the US and Events Planned in Washington (8th and 9th March) and New York (10th March)
The Guantanamo Human Rights Commission with its partner organisations aims to put pressure on President George Bush, the US Government and American lawmakers to treat the Guantanamo Bay prisoners according to the standards of American and International law.
The delegation, led by Corin and Vanessa Redgrave, will comprise Terry Waite, European families of Guantanamo Bay prisoners (including some of those whose relatives were announced to be released by Jack Straw on 19th February), their lawyers, religious leaders from the Muslim, Jewish and Anglican faiths, renowned actors, musicians and authors. Relatives of the Guantanamo families joining the delegation are from the UK, France, Germany and Sweden.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and National Council of Churches USA (NCC) will be hosting the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission during the trip in the US and organising a series of events in Washington, D.C., and New York City. The Center for Constitutional Rights, representing the families of Guantanamo detainees, brought the suit currently before the US Supreme Court that asserts the due process rights of the Guantanamo detainees. The NCC and ACLU are among signatories of a Friend of the Court brief filed by the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (recently renamed Human Rights First) in support of the case.
The delegation will begin their programme of events with a press conference in London on 5th March before their departure to the States on 6th March. On 8th March, the National Council of Churches USA will host a press conference for them in Washington, D.C., followed by meetings with legislators and a walk to deliver letters to President George Bush at the White House. In the evening there will be a Guantanamo Due Process Interfaith Prayer/Reflection Service with readings by leaders of religious and human rights organisations and performances by artists. On 9th March, the ACLU will be hosting a press conference at the National Press Club and the delegation then departs for New York. On 10th March, the relatives of the European Guantanamo Prisoners will meet with representatives of the CCR; the CCR will be hosting a press conference at the UNCA club of the United Nations and will be holding a Guantanamo Public Meeting in the evening.
Outlined below is the itinerary and events planned for the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission delegation:
Friday 5th March 9.30am
Photocall of members of the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission delegation,
Venue: St Stephens Green, House of Lords, London.
Friday 5th March 10.00am
Guantanamo Human Rights Commission Press Conference in London – aims and plans for US trip
Venue: Jubilee Room, House of Commons Chaired by Corin Redgrave, speakers include relatives of Guantanamo prisoners.
Saturday 6th March: Delegation departs London Heathrow
Monday 8th March 10.00am
Guantanamo Due Process Deputation Press Conference
Venue (tbc): National Council of Churches, 110 Maryland Ave., N.E, Washington, DC.
Hosted by: The Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary for the National Council of Churches USA. Speakers include: Terry Waite, former adviser to Archbishop of Canterbury and former Beirut hostage. The press conference will focus on the Guantanamo prisoners’ families and the faith-based groups that support them.
Monday 8th March
11.00am – 2.00pm Legislative and Media Meetings
Monday 8th March 2.00pm Walk to the White House
Venue: Walk departs from (tbc).
The Rev. Dr. Robert W Edgar, General Secretary for the National Council of Churches USA, leads the Guantanamo Due Process Deputation (includes relatives of prisoners) on the walk to the White House to deliver letters to President George Bush.
Monday 8th March 6.00pm
Guantanamo Due Process Interfaith Prayer/Reflection Service
Venue: New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1313 New York Avenue, NW, Washington DC (tbc).
Led by the Revered Roger J Gench, Pastor, New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA.
Participants include:Nadine Strossen, President of ACLU; Ron Daniels, Executive Director of the CCR; Gareth Peirce, Senior UK Human rights lawyers; Corin Redgrave, Founder of the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission and actor; Rabbi David Goldberg, Vanessa Redgrave, co-founder of the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission; Margaret Drabble, UK-based author. Music by Peter Yarrow with Bethany Yarrow, and the InKlein Quartet.
Tuesday 9th March 12.30pm
National Press Club “Newsmaker” Luncheon
Venue: National Press Club, 529 14th St NW, Washington, DC, 13th Floor.
Keynote speaker: Anthony Romero, Executive Director of ACLU, on Guantanamo Bay and related government actions since 9/11.
Tuesday 9th March 2.00pm ACLU Press Conference for Guantanamo Families and
US Veterans
Venue: National Press Club, Zenger Room Address as above, follows “Newsmaker” event.
Tuesday 9th March evening Delegation from Guantanamo Human Rights Commission depart Washington for New York
Wednesday 10th March 11.00am Center for Constitutional Rights Press Conference for
Guantanamo Families
Venue: UNCA Club, United Nations, Secretariat Building, 3rd Floor, Room S-0326, enter either 46th Street and 1st Avenue or at 42nd and 1st Avenue, New York
Wednesday 10th March 2.00pm Relatives of Guanatanamo Prisoners will meet with representatives from the Center For Constitutional Rights
Venue: Center for Constitutional Rights
Wednesday 10th March 7.00pm Guantanamo Public Meeting hosted by Center for
Constitutional Rights (CRC)
Venue: Cooper Union Great Hall, 7 East Seventh Street at 3rd Avenue, New York 10005.
Speakers include: Mike Ratner (CRC), Corin Redgrave, Azmat Begg; Rabbi David Goldberg; Margaret Drabble.
Press Conference Attendance / Further Information / Media Enquiries
UK based media and Guantanamo Human Rights Commission enquiries/press conference attendance on 5th March in London
For enquiries, please call Victoria Sabin, Project Associates, on 00 44 207 432 3216 or 07971 430244 or email victoria@projectassociatesltd.com. Please contact Heidi Mallace/Deborah Turner to confirm your attendance by emailing heidi@projectassociatesltd.com.
National Council of Churches media enquiries/attendance for events on 8th March
Please contact: Leslie Tune, NCC Media Liaison, Washington, D.C., 001 202 544 2350 or mobile 001 202 297 2191or Colleen O’Connor on 001 202 363 5521.
ACLU media enquiries/attendance for events on 9th March
Media enquiries, please call Emily Whitfield, American Civil Liberties Union, on 001 212 549 2566 or 001 917 686 4542.
Center for Constitutional Rights media enquiries/attendance for events on 10th March
Please call Jen Nessel, Center for Constitutional Rights, on 001 212 614 6449, or email to jnessel@ccr-ny.org or Mahdis Keshavarz on 001 212 2605000, or email to mkeshavarz@ccr-ny.org .
Notes to Editors
The Guantanamo Human Rights Commission delegation comprises: Corin and Vanessa Redgrave, founders of the Commission; Terry Waite, former adviser to Archbishop of Canterbury and former Beirut hostage; Rabbi David Goldberg, former leading UK Jewish leader; Massoud Shadjareh, Islamic Human Rights Commission; Azmat Begg, father of UK detainee Moazzam Begg; Gareth Peirce, UK Human Rights Lawyers and lawyer to Azmat Begg; Riasoth Ahmed and Saleha Begum, parents of returning UK detainee Rhuhel Ahmed; Greg Powell, lawyer to Riasoth Ahmed; Sharon and Maxine Fiddler, sisters of returning UK detainee Jumal Al Harif; Aymen Sassi, brother of French detainee Nizar Sassi; Jacques Debray, lawyer of Aymen Sassis; Andre Gerin, Mayor of Venissieux, where Sassi family lives and Rhone Depurty; Mehdi Ghezali, father of detainee Mehdi Ghezali; Rabiye Kurnaz, mother of German detainee Murat Kurnaz; Margaret Drabble, UK author and Commission patron; members of the InKlein Quartet and Vivian Yates, Peace & Progress.
The Guantanamo Human Rights Commission, founded by Corin and Vanessa Redgrave, was launched on 20th January 2004 at the House of Commons. The Commission is campaigning for the rights of the European Guantanamo Bay detainees. The Commission wants the domestic governments of the European detainees and the European parliament to put pressure on President George Bush and the US government to treat the prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay according to the standards of American and International law. The Guantanamo Human Rights Commission’s visit to the United States aims to raise the issue directly with President George Bush and the US government.
***ENDS***
Media Advisory: 1st March 2004
Terry Waite launches Guantanamo US Campaign: 5th March 2004
Guantanamo Families and Religious Leaders Take Campaign to the US – 6th-10th March 2004
On 5th March at 10.00 am at a press conference in the Jubilee Room in the House of Common, London, Terry Waite will announce his views on the US’s treatment of the Guantanamo Bay detainees and launch the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission’s US campaign. On 6th March, a delegationfrom the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission, including Terry Waite, Corin Redgrave and European relatives of detainees is departing from Heathrow to the US.
Photocall Notice
Date and Time: Friday 5th March at 9.30 am
Venue: St Stephen’s Green, outside House of Commons
Subject: Terry Waite with Corin Redgrave and relatives
Of Guantanamo Bay detainees from UK, France
And Germany.
Press Conference Notice
Date and Time: Friday 5th March at 10.00 am
Venue: Jubilee Room, House of Commons, London
Subject: Guantanamo Human Rights Commission plans and aims
For its US visit and campaign, and update on its support including from members of all major UK political parties and senior Muslim, Jewish and Anglican leaders.
Host and Chair: Peter Kilfoyle MP
Speakers: Terry Waite; Sharon Fiddler, sister of returning UK detainee Jamal Al Harif; Rabiye Kurnaz, mother of
German detainee Murat Kurnaz; and Corin Redgrave.
Media enquiries and press conference attendance on 5th March in London
For enquiries, please call Victoria Sabin, Project Associates, on 00 44 207 432 3216 or 07971 430244 or email victoria@projectassociatesltd.com. Please contact Heidi Mallace/Deborah Turner to confirm your attendance by emailing heidi@projectassociatesltd.com.
Further information below about Guantanamo Human Rights Commission
And events planned for the delegation’s visit to the US from 8th-10th March.
The Guantanamo Human Rights Commission’s Visit to the US and Events Planned in Washington (8th and 9th March) and New York (10th March)
The Guantanamo Human Rights Commission with its partner organisations aims to put pressure on President George Bush, the US Government and American lawmakers to treat the Guantanamo Bay prisoners according to the standards of American and International law.
The delegation, led by Corin and Vanessa Redgrave, will comprise Terry Waite, European families of Guantanamo Bay prisoners (including some of those whose relatives were announced to be released by Jack Straw on 19th February), their lawyers, religious leaders from the Muslim, Jewish and Anglican faiths, renowned actors, musicians and authors. Relatives of the Guantanamo families joining the delegation are from the UK, France, Germany and Sweden.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and National Council of Churches USA (NCC) will be hosting the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission during the trip in the US and organising a series of events in Washington, D.C., and New York City. The Center for Constitutional Rights, representing the families of Guantanamo detainees, brought the suit currently before the US Supreme Court that asserts the due process rights of the Guantanamo detainees. The NCC and ACLU are among signatories of a Friend of the Court brief filed by the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (recently renamed Human Rights First) in support of the case.
The delegation will begin their programme of events with a press conference in London on 5th March before their departure to the States on 6th March. On 8th March, the National Council of Churches USA will host a press conference for them in Washington, D.C., followed by meetings with legislators and a walk to deliver letters to President George Bush at the White House. In the evening there will be a Guantanamo Due Process Interfaith Prayer/Reflection Service with readings by leaders of religious and human rights organisations and performances by artists. On 9th March, the ACLU will be hosting a press conference at the National Press Club and the delegation then departs for New York. On 10th March, the relatives of the European Guantanamo Prisoners will meet with representatives of the CCR; the CCR will be hosting a press conference at the UNCA club of the United Nations and will be holding a Guantanamo Public Meeting in the evening.
Outlined below is the itinerary and events planned for the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission delegation:
Friday 5th March 9.30am Photocall of members of the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission delegation,
Venue: St Stephens Green, House of Lords, London.
Friday 5th March 10.00am
Guantanamo Human Rights Commission Press Conference in London – aims and plans for US trip
Venue: Jubilee Room, House of Commons Chaired by Corin Redgrave, speakers include relatives of Guantanamo prisoners.
Saturday 6th March: Delegation departs London Heathrow
Monday 8th March 10.00am
Guantanamo Due Process Deputation Press Conference
Venue (tbc): National Council of Churches, 110 Maryland Ave., N.E, Washington, DC.
Hosted by: The Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary for the National Council of Churches USA. Speakers include: Terry Waite, former adviser to Archbishop of Canterbury and former Beirut hostage. The press conference will focus on the Guantanamo prisoners’ families and the faith-based groups that support them.
Monday 8th March
11.00am – 2.00pm Legislative and Media Meetings
Monday 8th March 2.00pm Walk to the White House
Venue: Walk departs from (tbc).
The Rev. Dr. Robert W Edgar, General Secretary for the National Council of Churches USA, leads the Guantanamo Due Process Deputation (includes relatives of prisoners) on the walk to the White House to deliver letters to President George Bush.
Monday 8th March 6.00pm
Guantanamo Due Process Interfaith Prayer/Reflection Service
Venue: New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1313 New York Avenue, NW, Washington DC (tbc).
Led by the Revered Roger J Gench, Pastor, New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA.
Participants include:Nadine Strossen, President of ACLU; Ron Daniels, Executive Director of the CCR; Gareth Peirce, Senior UK Human rights lawyers; Corin Redgrave, Founder of the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission and actor; Rabbi David Goldberg, Vanessa Redgrave, co-founder of the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission; Margaret Drabble, UK-based author. Music by Peter Yarrow with Bethany Yarrow, and the InKlein Quartet.
Tuesday 9th March 12.30pm
National Press Club “Newsmaker” Luncheon
Venue: National Press Club, 529 14th St NW, Washington, DC, 13th Floor.
Keynote speaker: Anthony Romero, Executive Director of ACLU, on Guantanamo Bay and related government actions since 9/11.
Tuesday 9th March 2.00pm ACLU Press Conference for Guantanamo Families and
US Veterans
Venue: National Press Club, Zenger Room Address as above, follows “Newsmaker” event.
Tuesday 9th March evening
Delegation from Guantanamo Human Rights Commission depart Washington for New York
Wednesday 10th March 11.00am
Center for Constitutional Rights Press Conference for
Guantanamo Families
Venue: UNCA Club, United Nations, Secretariat Building, 3rd Floor, Room S-0326, enter either 46th Street and 1st Avenue or at 42nd and 1st Avenue, New York
Wednesday 10th March 2.00pm Relatives of Guanatanamo Prisoners will meet with representatives from the Center For Constitutional Rights
Venue: Center for Constitutional Rights
Wednesday 10th March 7.00pm Guantanamo Public Meeting hosted by Center for
Constitutional Rights (CRC)
Venue: Cooper Union Great Hall, 7 East Seventh Street at 3rd Avenue, New York 10005.
Speakers include: Mike Ratner (CRC), Corin Redgrave, Azmat Begg; Rabbi David Goldberg; Margaret Drabble.
Press Conference Attendance / Further Information / Media Enquiries
UK based media and Guantanamo Human Rights Commission enquiries/press conference attendance on 5th March in London
For enquiries, please call Victoria Sabin, Project Associates, on 00 44 207 432 3216 or 07971 430244 or email victoria@projectassociatesltd.com. Please contact Heidi Mallace/Deborah Turner to confirm your attendance by emailing heidi@projectassociatesltd.com.
National Council of Churches media enquiries/attendance for events on 8th March
Please contact: Leslie Tune, NCC Media Liaison, Washington, D.C., 001 202 544 2350 or mobile 001 202 297 2191or Colleen O’Connor on 001 202 363 5521.
ACLU media enquiries/attendance for events on 9th March
Media enquiries, please call Emily Whitfield, American Civil Liberties Union, on 001 212 549 2566 or 001 917 686 4542.
Center for Constitutional Rights media enquiries/attendance for events on 10th March
Please call Jen Nessel, Center for Constitutional Rights, on 001 212 614 6449, or email to jnessel@ccr-ny.org or Mahdis Keshavarz on 001 212 2605000, or email to mkeshavarz@ccr-ny.org .
Notes to Editors
The Guantanamo Human Rights Commission delegation comprises: Corin and Vanessa Redgrave, founders of the Commission; Terry Waite, former adviser to Archbishop of Canterbury and former Beirut hostage; Rabbi David Goldberg, former leading UK Jewish leader; Massoud Shadjareh, Islamic Human Rights Commission; Azmat Begg, father of UK detainee Moazzam Begg; Gareth Peirce, UK Human Rights Lawyers and lawyer to Azmat Begg; Riasoth Ahmed and Saleha Begum, parents of returning UK detainee Rhuhel Ahmed; Greg Powell, lawyer to Riasoth Ahmed; Sharon and Maxine Fiddler, sisters of returning UK detainee Jumal Al Harif; Aymen Sassi, brother of French detainee Nizar Sassi; Jacques Debray, lawyer of Aymen Sassis; Andre Gerin, Mayor of Venissieux, where Sassi family lives and Rhone Depurty; Mehdi Ghezali, father of detainee Mehdi Ghezali; Rabiye Kurnaz, mother of German detainee Murat Kurnaz; Margaret Drabble, UK author and Commission patron; members of the InKlein Quartet and Vivian Yates, Peace & Progress.
The Guantanamo Human Rights Commission, founded by Corin and Vanessa Redgrave, was launched on 20th January 2004 at the House of Commons. The Commission is campaigning for the rights of the European Guantanamo Bay detainees. The Commission wants the domestic governments of the European detainees and the European parliament to put pressure on President George Bush and the US government to treat the prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay according to the standards of American and International law. The Guantanamo Human Rights Commission’s visit to the United States aims to raise the issue directly with President George Bush and the US government.
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T: +44 (0)20 7432 3216
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