Bush and Straw told: give terror suspects fair trial

Solicitors and barristers this week joined the row about the legal rights of non-US nationals held under suspicion of terrorism in the Guantanamo Bay detention centre in Cuba.

Law Society President Carolyn Kirby has written to Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and US President George W Bush to demand that independent observers be present at any military tribunals for the prisoners.

Bar Council chairman Matthias Kelly QC has made a formal request to the Foreign Office for funding to send a team of barristers as observers to the detention centre.

Two British nationals, Feroz Abbasi and Moazzam Begg, are held at the centre.

Reports that the accused have limited rights to civilian defence counsel and could be sentenced to death have prompted concerns they will not receive a fair hearing.

'The detainees are not set to receive a fair trial in the eyes of British domestic law, US law or international law,' Ms Kirby complained.

She called for the government to insist the British subjects be tried in Britain.

The Society is seeking assurances from the British government that it will do all in its power to ensure the Guantanamo detainees are given a fair and open trial, and access to independent legal advice.

Mr Kelly said barristers wanting to travel to Cuba to act as independent observers should receive government assistance.

'We hope that the Foreign Office will cover the cost.

It's the least they could do,' he said.

Such a payment would reflect the government's duty of care towards the suspects, he explained.

Chris Baker