The controversial American military prison at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba was established after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 by President George W Bush to house terrorism suspects. Bush’s successor, President Barack Obama, declared in 2009 that he would close the prison within one year. However, five years later, the prison remains open, clearly demonstrating the double standards of the United States concerning the issues of human rights.
Many men are being held by the United States government in Guantánamo without being given a fair trial. They are tried by military tribunal, which come far short of the internationally accepted conditions for a fair trial. In the 12 years the prison has been open, nearly 800 prisoners have been held there for some period of time, and less than one percent of those were convicted by a military tribunal. The USA expects other countries to do what it refuses to – accept released detainees who cannot be repatriated. As a result, even those who obtain a judicial ruling against their detention may continue to be held. Prisoners who cannot return to their homeland, for whatever reason, often are forced to remain in limbo in Guantánamo for months or even years.
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The immediate and complete closure of the American military prison at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba.
A fair trial for each prisoner currently being held in Guantánamo.
Your Excellency,
I support closing the Guantánamo detention facility and urge you to get the job done, today.
The US government is obligated under international law to respect, protect and fulfill human rights. Each Guantánamo detainee must either be charged and fairly tried in federal court, or be released to countries that will respect their human rights.
Instead of justice for the September 11 attacks, Guantánamo has given the world torture, indefinite detention and unfair trials.
It is well past time to change course and close the detention facility.
Most respectfully,
