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WIKILEAKS MEPs send a letter to US gov. expressing concerns about Bradley Manning

WIKILEAKS: MEPs send a letter to US government expressing concerns about the human rights of Bradley Manning Wednesday 30 November 11:30, press room, European Parliament, Brussels MEP's Marisa Matias (GUE/NGL), Christian Engström (Greens-EFA), Ana Gomes (S&D), Marietje Schaak (ALDE) and Christofer Fjellner (EPP), will present to the press a letter addressed that same day by themselves and 50 other colleagues of the European Parliament to President Obama, Members of the US Congress, and US military authorities. The letter refers to very serious breaches of the civil and human rights of Mr. Bradley Manning, the young soldier whom the US Army has accused of releasing classified information pertaining to possible US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. The open letter to the US government specifically calls on the US government to grant the request of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Mendez, to meet privately with Bradley Manning. The US government has so far denied the request of Mr. Mendez, which was prompted by reports that Bradley Manning was imprisoned for an extended period in conditions of solitary confinement, nudity, sleep deprivation, and other psychological abuse. The US Army has accused Bradley Manning of "aiding the enemy," a capital offense that is punishable by death. The 23-year old soldier has been imprisoned for 17 months without yet having had his day in court. An initial hearing has recently been scheduled for December 16.