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### Viewing cable 09TUNIS399, ICRC: TREATMENT OF PRISONERS IN MOI FACILITIES A

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
09TUNIS399 | 2009-06-18 17:05 | 2010-11-30 16:04 | SECRET//NOFORN | Embassy Tunis

`

    P 181758Z JUN 09
    FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
    TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6455
    INFO MAGHREB COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
    NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
    DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
    SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

` `

    S E C R E T TUNIS 000399

    NOFORN

    STATE FOR NEA/MAG (SWILLIAMS, MHAYES, JPATTERSON)
    DRL: KMCGEENEY, S/WCI: ARICCI
    DOD/OSD:ALIOTTA, DOJ/ODAG:MSTRANSKY

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2028
    TAGS: PHUM PREL PTER KDRG TS
    SUBJECT: ICRC: TREATMENT OF PRISONERS IN MOI FACILITIES A
    CONCERN

    Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

    ------
    Summary
    -------

    ¶1. (S/NF) The International Red Cross Committee Regional
    (ICRC) Delegate Yves Arnoldy told the Ambassador ICRC
    priorities in Tunisia are overcrowding in general and
    treatment of prisoners in MOI facilities. The ICRC has a good
    working relationship with the Ministry of Justice, but the
    Ministry of Interior will take more time. He confirmed that
    the ICRC has access to some notified MOI facilities and was
    trying to get information about non-notified facilities. He
    also said, if offered the chance to make a recommendation
    about the transfer of Tunisian detainees held in Guantanamo
    back to Tunisia that he, "would not like to be in the
    Ambassador's place." End Summary.

    ---------------------
    Guantanamo Detainees
    ---------------------

    ¶2. (S) The Ambassador met recently with ICRC Delegate Yves
    Arnoldy to obtain an update on the organization's activities
    in Tunisia and the region.

    ¶3. (S/NF) Discussing the Guantanamo detention facility, the
    Ambassador stressed President Obama's intention to close the
    facility by the end of the year. He said the question of
    transferring the Tunisian detainees back to Tunisia was under
    review in Washington and asked what Arnoldy would recommend
    if he had the opportunity. Arnoldy responded, obliquely
    saying, it was a difficult decision and he "would not like to
    be in the Ambassador's place." He asked to be kept informed
    about the status of any potential transferees because ICRC is
    in touch with their families in Tunisia and will keep them
    informed. ICRC will also be testing a video conferencing
    capability soon to improve communications between detainees
    still in Guantanamo and their families.

    ---------------
    ICRC Activities
    ---------------

    ¶4. (S/NF) Arnoldy said the ICRC is focused on the long-term
    in Tunisia. It was only allowed access to prisoners in 2005.
    It is a question of building trust, which takes time, but
    relations have reached an, "interesting level with solid
    ground for development particularly with the Ministry of
    Justice." The ICRC has two tracks it is working on,
    overcrowding in general, and treatment of prisoners in
    facilities under MOI control.

    ------------------
    Relations with MOJ
    ------------------

    ¶5. (S/NF) Arnoldy said the ICRC relations with the Ministry
    of Justice are cooperative. He had direct contact whenever
    he needed it with his interlocutors up to the Minister, and
    there were clear signs of political will to cooperate on
    prison inspections. The MOJ is ready to take advantage of
    the resources ICRC has to offer and is becoming interested in
    a dialogue on wider issues of justice. He could see
    possibilities to develop activities with the MOJ beyond just
    treatment of prisoners to a more strategic, structural level,
    including training of staff and exchange of ideas with other
    national systems. When asked by the Ambassador if he could
    confirm if the MOI had access to prisoners held in MOJ
    facilities he said he could not add any information to this,
    but then added, that certain ministries have the ability to
    affect the MOJ system.

    -------------------
    Relations with MOI
    -------------------

    ¶6. (S/NF) Arnoldy characterized ICRC relations with the MOI
    as "needing improvement." The ICRC is taking a step-by-step
    approach and the level of dialogue has made some progress
    since the beginning. However, changing treatment is a
    long-term issue that will entail changes in the MOJ's
    attitude and "mentality." The ICRC is seeking to improve the
    dialogue and develop the basis for adding more substance.
    Arnoldy confirmed that the ICRC has access to "notified" MOI
    facilities and was trying to get information about
    "non-notified" facilities.

    ----------------------
    Relations with the MFA
    ----------------------

    ¶7. (C) Arnoldy said he has to double track his meeting
    requests with the Ministry of Justice via diplomatic note to
    the MFA however the MFA does not block or delay his requests.
    He noted that his relationship with the MFA had declined
    somewhat after the departure of Hatem Ben Salim who was the
    Secretary of State for European Affairs until 2008.

    ------------------------
    NGO Reports of Treatment
    ------------------------

    ¶8. (S/NF) The Ambassador asked Arnoldy for his impression of
    the reliability of information on treatment of prisoners
    provided by NGOs and others without direct access to the
    prisoners. He asked if the ICRC questioned their public
    statements about treatment. Arnoldy said, it is difficult
    for NGOs and others to know exactly what is happening and
    third hand sourcing has its problems. Not everything they
    say is accurate, but it is a source of information. They
    often give him tips that he can follow-up on or verify and
    sometimes they do have good sources, especially through
    contact with prisoners' families.

    ------------------
    Regional Activities
    ------------------

    ¶9. (S/NF) The Ambassador asked for an overview of the ICRC
    office's regional activities, which Arnoldy is responsible
    for, in brief:

    -- Libya - Relations are difficult. Arnoldy has a hard time
    visiting Libya because of his Swiss passport and the strained
    relations between Libya and Switzerland. ICRC depends on
    Tunisian staff going to Libya or Libyans coming to Tunisia.

    -- Mauritania - The ICRC has signed a headquarters agreement
    with Mauritania upgrading their status to a mission but the
    office will still answer to the Tunis office. There are
    approximately 1,200 prisoners in Mauritania.

    -- Morocco - ICRC has a presence in Morocco but does not
    have any diplomatic status. Therefore the Morocco office
    focuses on issues of international humanitarian law. The
    rest of ICRC activities are handled through the Tunis office.
    Morocco is the biggest file in the region, concerned mainly
    individuals who "disappeared" as a result of the Western
    Sahara conflict. ICRC is discussing up-grading its status
    with the government of Morocco, it is just a question of
    time. When they reach an agreement, ICRC will likely open
    several offices in Morocco which will not be dependent on the
    Tunis office.

    ¶10. (U) Arnoldy expressed the ICRC's appreciation for USG
    support for the organization. The ICRC depends on donors to
    support it so it can react quickly in a crisis and not wait
    until it has confirmed funding before taking action.

    -------
    Comment
    -------

    ¶11. (S/NF) Arnoldy was as frank as he could be given the
    confidentiality policy of the ICRC. It was clear that he was
    not positive about the prison conditions in the MOI
    facilities nor about the MOI's attitude toward cooperating
    with the ICRC. He did say however, that some progress had
    been made in the ICRC-MOI dialogue but that it would take
    time. Given that ICRC is the only international organization
    with reliable access to the prisons, we have to give weight
    to their comments, even if cryptic.

    Godec

`