Chinese Guantanamo prisoners at risk if they return

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AP , SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
Sunday, May 30, 2004,Page 5

Behind coils of razor wire at Guan-tanamo Bay, Cuba, one group of prisoners held by the US military faces a unique dilemma -- if returned to China, human rights groups warn, they could be tortured or killed.

Some 22 ethnic Uighurs, Muslims from China's desert northwest, are at the US prison for terror suspects, Amnesty International said this week.

"They're at grave risk if returned," Alistair Hodgett, a spokes-man for the London-based rights group said on Friday. "They are highly likely to face, at a minimum, continued detention, and very likely to face torture, ill treatment and possible execution."

Amnesty also accused China of sending a delegation in September 2002 that participated in interrogations in which Uighurs were subjected to threats and "stress and duress" techniques such as sleep deprivation, forced sitting for hours and "environmental manipulation" -- which can include extreme heat or cold.

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