Plaid Cymru President presses US authorities on prisoner’s treatment in custody

Jill Evans MEP has signed a letter to the United States Government raising concerns about the treatment of Bradley Manning, the soldier in military detention for allegedly leaking classified documents to the whistleblowing site WikiLeaks. Mr Manning, whose mother lives in Haverfordwest, where he also lived as a teenager, will appear in court for the first time on 16 December.

Allegations have been made about Manning’s treatment in custody, which included solitary confinement for up to 23 hours a day, inspections by officers every five minutes from 5am onwards, and removal of his clothes. Jill Evans has concerns over the treatment which undermines his rights.

Ms Evans said,

“Bradley Manning’s family comes from Haverfordwest where his mother still lives. I want the disturbing allegations about his treatment in custody to be examined by Juan Méndez, the UN’s special rapporteur on torture.”

Juan Mendez has made several requests for access to the military base where Manning is held, all of which have been refused by US authorities. Manning was arrested in May 2010 and charged with a number of offences.

Ms Evans continued,

“If the allegations are found to be true, it is a violation of international law and the US constitution. It is surely in the interests of the US government too, to assure us that his treatment is not unlawful. Bradley Manning has spent 17 months in pre-trial confinement. I’m hopeful that his case will be resolved in court on 16th December."

Ends.