A/HRC/7/10/Add.1
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273. The Government maintained that Ms. Razavi’s human rights have been carefully
considered by the authorities. The decision to return her to Iran has been upheld by the impartial
judiciary of the United Kingdom. Ms. Razavi was detained on 10 July 2007 as she is a failed
asylum seeker with no legal basis to remain in the United Kingdom. She is detained pending her
imminent removal from the United Kingdom.
Observations
274.
The Special Rapporteur is grateful for the Government’s detailed response.
United States of America
Communication sent on 22 May 2006
275. The Special Rapporteur received information concerning Mr. Saifullah A. Paracha, aged
58, a Pakistani national who has been detained at Guantánamo Bay since September 2004.
According to the allegations received, Mr. Paracha has not been allowed to speak to a chaplain
since he arrived at Guantánamo Bay in September 2004, despite the fact that he has indicated that
he would be willing to speak to a chaplain of any tradition.
Response from the Government dated 12 July 2007
276. The Government indicated that the United States maintains its firm commitment to
respect religious freedom and is dedicated as a policy matter to respecting the religious and
cultural dignity of all of the detainees of Guantanamo Bay.
277. The United States does not provide chaplains to the detainees at Guantanamo Bay due to
resource constraints, and in any case notes that is not legally obligated to do so. Nevertheless, the
United States (US) has taken many steps to protect the rights of the detainees to freely practice
their religion. These steps include issuing Korans to detainees in one of five languages
commonly spoken at the camp. US military personnel responsible for providing security for the
detainees under US control at Guantanamo Bay receive special training regarding handling
religious articles associated with the Islamic faith in the appropriately respectful manner. The
United States has carefully implemented a standard operating procedure at Guantanamo that
makes every effort to provide detainees with religious articles associated with the Islamic faith,
including prayer beads and prayers rugs, to accommodate prayers and religious periods as well as
to provide them with culturally acceptable meals and practices.
278. Calls to prayer are conducted over loudspeakers at the appropriate times every day and
there are arrows indicating the direction to Mecca throughout Guantanamo to assist detainees in
knowing which direction to pray. Once the call to prayer is sounded, detainees receive 20
minutes of uninterrupted time to worship.
Observations
279. The Special Rapporteur is grateful for the Government’s response. With regard to access
to qualified representatives of a religion she would like to refer to the 1955 Standard Minimum
Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which were approved by ECOSOC resolutions 663 C