Group Calls for Release or Fair Trials for All Remaining Guantánamo Detainees

Amnesty International says US treatment and conditions violate prohibition on torture and degrading treatment.

(GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba) - As nine more detainees were freed from Guantánamo, Amnesty International on Friday reiterated their position; that the Guantánamo detentions are a travesty of justice. They believe that the US administration must either bring to fair trial or release, with full protections against further abuse, the 270 detainees still held there.

Al Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Hajj

The nine men were the first to be released from the naval base this year. Among them is Al Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Hajj, held without charge at the Guantánamo Bay prison for almost six years. The nine men were the first to be released from the naval base this year. Among them is Al Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Hajj, held without charge at the Guantánamo Bay prison for almost six years.

Amnesty International says they remain particularly concerned for his health and well-being after his years of indefinite detention and other alleged abuses, including in the context of his prolonged hunger-striking.

Sami al-Hajj was repatriated with two other Sudanese nationals held at Guantánamo, Yacoub al-Amir and Walid Ali. Sami al-Hajj was taken straight from the plane to hospital on a stretcher.

A fourth detainee, Saïd Boujaâdia, was returned to Morocco, where he is reported to have been taken into custody by the judicial police in Casablanca. Amnesty International will continue to monitor his situation and calls on the Moroccan authorities to ensure that his treatment fully complies with international law.

"He should be given access to legal counsel and independent medical care, and either charged promptly with recognizable criminal offenses and brought to fair trial, or released," the group stated.

Five detainees were also transferred to Afghanistan, according to the Pentagon. Amnesty International has no further details on these detainees at this stage. It similarly calls on the Afghan authorities to ensure that all treatment and any trials of returned detainees fully comply with international law and standards, and in no way perpetuates the unlawful treatment that the Guantánamo detainees have faced.

"The USA government should abandon its trials by military commissions, which are not independent of the same branch of government that has authorized and condoned abuses against detainees and which may rely on information coerced under ill-treatment," said Amnesty International.

As well as denying those held at Guantánamo and elsewhere the right to challenge their detentions in an independent and impartial court, in line with the centuries old right to habeas corpus, the US authorities have subjected detainees to treatment and conditions that violate the absolute prohibition on torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Investigations into such abuses have been inadequate.

"The USA government must permanently close the Guantánamo detention facility, and put an end to the secret detention programme operated by the CIA. The USA must bring all its detentions everywhere into full compliance with international law and standards," said Amnesty International.

"There must be full accountability for all human rights violations, including the international crimes of torture and enforced disappearance."

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Tomas May 4, 2008 12:48 pm (Pacific time)

I find it troubling when we have people who actually compare us to China in the area of human rights abuses. So Matt I would be interested in your sources as to the breakdown of the Gitmo prisoners. Have you ever talked to military personnel who pulled duty there? I have, and I assure you that they are 180 degrees from those who make your kind of suppostion, because supposition seems to be what you are making. Of course if you have sources, would be great to hear them. Thanks. Also do you know how many of these prisoners have been released and later captured on the battlefields? Some even released who later killed Americans. In all our prvious wars when were the pow's released?

Matt Johnson May 4, 2008 12:16 pm (Pacific time)

There are some in captivity at Gitmo that were not good people, and a small handful have been charged. The rest are innocent and we took them into custody because this country violates international rules of war. Most of the detainees were taken with the level of intel that allowed us to think there were WMD's. In other words, it was either made up or they are truly bad at their jobs in that community. I think Vic's comment is exactly the type of thing to expect after a country like the U.S. is driven haphazardly by a man like Bush and that so many Americans still claim to support him and buy the BS. Nobody is that dumb, they are perhaps evil in their hearts, or incredibly stupid. But I suspect in the end they will pay a much stronger prices over things like psychiatric disorders when they learn what supporting this man really means for our country. Maybe the Chinese violate the rights of citizens, well the United States just murders them, takes them out. Are we better than China as the number of innocent people killed in Iraq nears a million? Iraq did nothing to us, all of the world's terrorism problems have been driven like mules on a wagon team under Bush because that is what he wanted to do. If Americans had the legendary amounts of bravery that are recorded in the history books, Bush's reign would have lasted less than a year.

Tomas May 4, 2008 10:39 am (Pacific time)

Vic are you familiar with the Cuban missle crisis period? You think it would be a good idea for China to have a military base 90 miles from us? Are you familiar with China's record regarding abuse, torture and murder? If you want historical info talk to former Korean POW vets who got to know the Chinese intimately. All these muslim prisoners, were they not (most of them) caught on some battlefield? I sure don't want them on the mainland, so how about where they are caught let that government take them? Do you think they would like that as a solution? As far as our standing in the world Vic, how come everyone seems to want to come here, even risking death? Even wealthy people come here for medical treatment. Be thankful for what you have Vic, you are very lucky to be here where you have the freedom to give your opinion on so many different things and not worry about the government coming down on you. Though that of course does not mean they are not listening.

Vic May 4, 2008 9:15 am (Pacific time)

If I were the Cuban govt, I would invite China to build a naval base there unless the American invaders leave. If everything that goes on there is on the up and up, the prison would be in the US, in my opinion. I wonder how many billions of dollars have been spent to house/detain/torture less than 400 people? As far as our credibility and standing in the world goes, it may never recover.

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