Robinson calls for POW status for al-Qaida prisoners

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said prisoner of war status should be conferred on the suspected al-Qaida and Taliban members being held at a US naval base in Cuba.

Some 30 prisoners were transported to the high-security base at Guantanamo Bay yesterday.

Speaking ahead of a human rights conference in Dublin, Mary Robinson, said she is concerned about their treatment and that it is extremely important that their legal status is clarified by the US.