AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

PRESS RELEASE

AI Index: EUR 23/001/2006 (Public)

News Service No: 069

20 March 2006

Germany: Amnesty International's Secretary General meets Chancellor Merkel

(Berlin) Irene Khan, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, called on Chancellor Merkel’s government to define Germany’s role on the international stage as a firm and solid champion for human rights at home and abroad, as she concluded her visit to Germany.

Ms Khan met with Chancellor Merkel and Foreign Minister Steinmeier during her visit to Berlin on 20 March.

She welcomed the new German government’s statements in support of human rights internationally. But she stressed that the credibility of the government will be judged not by statements but by concrete actions.

Referring to Chancellor Merkel’s statement that the detention camp in Guantanamo “should not exist in perpetuity”, Ms Khan responded: “Guantanamo is just the tip of the iceberg. As an ally who is taken seriously in Washington, the German government must make it clear to the USA that Guantanamo must be closed soon, and that there should be the full disclosure of other detention centres.

“I welcome the Chancellor’s view that international terrorism is best handled in a transparent manner through international agreements which respect the rule of law.

“Chancellor Merkel has made it clear that Germany will not tolerate torture within its borders. But this commitment places an obligation on Germany not to allow its territory to be used by the USA to transport prisoners to countries where they may face torture.”

Amnesty International called on Chancellor Merkel to obtain clear assurances from the US Administration that German air bases will not be used for renditions and clarify what has happened in the past.

“Germany must not do anything to encourage torture internationally, and it should actively seek to work towards the worldwide eradication of this abhorrent practice,” said Ms Khan.

Amnesty International called on the German government to encourage other governments to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. It also urged Germany to work towards achieving systemic change in countries where torture and ill-treatment remain a problem by take practical steps, such as investing in building and strengthening institutions such as the judiciary. The organization called on Germany to pursue this during its EU Presidency through its engagement with Central Asian governments.

Noting the Chancellor’s forthcoming visit to China, Ms Khan called on the Chancellor to make human rights an on-going component of her discussions with other governments.

“Chancellor Merkel’s concern for the new NGO law in Russia during her visit to that country is a positive step. But Germany cannot express concern about human rights issues in Russia on one hand and on the other return Chechen refugees to Russia where they are unsafe,” said Ms Khan.

Human rights are inter-dependent and indivisible and Amnesty International called on Chancellor Merkel’s government to strengthen the implementation of the UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights.

Background

Ms Khan visited Berlin to attend the AI Germany Human Rights Award ceremony on Sunday 19th March. She met Chancellor Merkel and Foreign Minister Steinmeier on Monday March 20th.

Public Document

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