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Appendix C. Statement by Official of the Tunisian Ministry of Justice and Human Rights92

10 August 2007

Question: Were the Americans aware of the previous sentence against Mr Hajji?

Answer: Yes they were. They were also aware of the guarantees regarding due process of law.

Question: Are Hajji and Lagha held in solitary confinement?

Answer: Not true. Both are detained in company of three of four other inmates.

Question: Was Hajji mistreated upon arrival in Tunisia?

Answer: Not true. He was not subjected to any mistreatment. The judicial police took custody of both individuals and referred them directly to the proper judicial authorities.

Question: Are Hajji and Lagha represented by lawyers

Answers: Each enjoys legal counsel and is represented by a lawyer.

Question: Is it possible for Lagha to appeal the charges

Answer: Yes. Even before going to trial, he can appeal the charges before la Chambre de Mise en Accusation or the Cassation Court.

Question: Were both visited by the ICRC ?

Answer: The ICRC did visit both Mr Hajji and Mr Lagha.

Question: Is is [sic] possible to visit the two detainees?

Answer: The detainees can be visited by their families or lawyers. The ICRC is able to visit detainees since it is signatory to an agreement to this effect with the Government of Tunisia.

Question: Is it possible for remaining Tunisian detainees in Guantanamo to know about possible sentences passed in absentia against them by Tunisian courts?

Answer: They can write to this effect to le Procureur de la République près le tribunal de Première instance or to le Procureur Général, Directeur des Services Judiciaires.



92 Email communication (in English) from a Tunisian government official to Human Rights Watch, August 10, 2007, described as “my rendering of your questions,” punctuation as per original document.