(Washington, DC)— On August 2, 2005, Congresswoman Diane E. Watson participated in a one-day congressional delegation trip to the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. 

At the conclusion of the trip, Congresswoman Watson issued the following statement:

“This is my second visit to Guantanamo Bay.  In the time since my first visit, the military has improved the physical condition of the facilities.  All detainees are now housed indoors.  The quality of the cells has been improved.

“Every prisoner has access to a copy of the Koran and a prayer mat.  Red arrow markers that point East – the direction in which the Muslim faithful pray – are found throughout the facility.”

“Congressional delegation members had the opportunity to sit and talk with an interrogator.  I should note that there are a number of female interrogators at Guantanamo and that the lead interrogator is female.

“Guantanamo Bay is, rightfully, under a lot of scrutiny.  An  International Red Cross team is now located at the detention center and conducts regular visits.  A number of human rights groups are also granted access to the facility.

“My most recent inspection of the facilities in no way changes my level of concern for what is happening at Guantanamo Bay.  Even as the Pentagon upgrades the facilities and prepares to build a permanent prison at Guantanamo Bay, it continues to detain people indefinitely and without charge or trial in contravention of the Geneva Conventions. 

“The administration has not been open in supplying information on its activities at Guantanamo, particularly concerning allegations of prisoner abuse.  FBI agents, for example, have reportedly complained about the harsh interrogation tactics used on detainees.  Despite numerous requests made under the Freedom of Information Act, the U.S. government has steadfastly refused to supply the public with information. 

“The specter of Abu Ghrab still lingers.  We must show the world that our treatment of the detainees is humane.

“It is past time for the detainees at Guantanamo to be pulled out of legal limbo.  The U.S. government should use court-martial and federal courts to prosecute detainees accused of serious war crimes.  We will only inflict greater damage to our national prestige and credibility the longer we hold the detainees at Guantanamo without charge.

“Finally, I salute the efforts of the new command at Guantanamo Bay to provide greater regular order to the detainees and improve their living conditions.”