Press Release from Amnesty International EU Office
   Brussels, 20 September, 2001

Amnesty International welcomes EU efforts to combat impunity
As EU Justice and Homes Affairs Ministers gather in Brussels today for
   their extraordinary council meeting, following the attacks in the US
   last week, Amnesty International has expressed its support for the EU's
   determination to combat impunity. However, the human rights organization
   has called for explicit assurances that any measure to tighten security
   will not undermine civil liberties and the right of refugees to
   protection.

   The measures adopted yesterday by the Commission to strengthen judicial
   cooperation in criminal matters, include the European arrest warrant and
   the surrender procedures between the member states. Amnesty
   International welcomes the facilitation of extradition for certain
   offences, such as crimes against humanity and torture.

   "Amnesty International would support the extradition of anyone accused
   of involvement in these crimes to a country in which they will be
   brought to justice in trials which uphold internationally recognized
   rights of fair trail and in which the penalties for those convicted do
   not involve the death penalty, torture, or other forms of cruel, inhuman
   or degrading treatment or punishment", said Dick Oosting, Director of
   Amnesty International's EU Office.

   Amnesty International recommends that such safeguards be explicitly
   stated, to ensure they apply to all current and future EU member states,
   as well as to any other state with whom the EU may wish to undertake
   agreements in this regard.


   For further comment/background and interviews:

   Amnesty International EU Office (Brussels):
   Tel: 32-2-5021499/5482772
   Fax: 32-2-5025686
   Email: amnesty-eu@aieu.be
   Web-site: www.amnesty-eu.org