Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today issued a new call for the immediate release of Al-Jazeera cameraman, Sami al-Haj, the only journalist being held by the United Sates in Guantanamo Bay, after his lawyers described him in “a serious physical and mental decline,” following a 250-day hunger strike.
Sudan-born Sami Muhyideen al-Haj has been held at Guantanamo since he was picked up at the Pakistan/Afghanistan border in December 2001. He has been tortured and accused of terrorism offences, although he has never been charged or brought to trial.
“Our colleague’s health is rapidly deteriorating and his relatives now fear for his life. The time has come for journalists all over the world to take up his case and join the campaign to get him freed” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha.
Al-Haj began his hunger strike on 7 January 2007, the fifth anniversary of his incarceration without trial. His lawyer, Stafford Smith, who last visited his client in July, said al-Haj, has lost 18kg (40lb), is losing his memory and is “fixated on his death.”
Al-Haj has been accused without proof of having interviewed Osama bin Laden and to have been involved in arms trafficking for Islamic terrorists.
The US alleges that he worked as a financial courier for Chechen rebels, and that he assisted al-Qaeda and extremist figures He has been held on the basis of secret evidence; he has not been convicted or even charged with a crime. And until last year the military would not even acknowledge he was in custody.
Boumelha made a special call to British journalists asking them to highlight al-Haj’s plight in the same way they supported BBC correspondent Alan Johnston during his captivity in Gaza adding, “Al-Haj had no history in terrorism and the US authorities have not been able to produce any credible evidence. They should either put him on trial or release him.”
Campaign welcomes request for release of British Residents in Guantanamo:
Omar is coming home. Great news but too early to celebrate.
The campaign to free Omar Deghayes welcome today’s news but we expect arrangements to be made promptly for the release of the residents. Now that the UK government have finally recognised their responsibility for these men, they must act swiftly. Omar has lost more than 5 years of his life in Guantanamo, partially due to the UK government's lack of action. A delay such as the 11 months between requests for Bisher Al Rawi's release and his actual return to the UK would be unjustifiable. The FCO have already said they are expecting discussions with the US to take some time but we will continue campaigning to ensure that such a delay is not allowed to occur.
Paddy O'Keeffe of the Save Omar campaign stated:
"It is great news but it is too early to celebrate. We need answers to the following very practical issues. We want to know exactly when Omar will be returned and that he is coming back in safety to Brighton. We would like to know more about the timescale and the process of release for all British residents and, indeed, that all are being released. We think there is at least one not included on the list of five. Justice must not be delayed any longer. Finally, of course, Guantanamo must close."
Abubaker Deghayes, brother of Omar, stated: "Omar is coming home. It is the news we have been waiting for. We want to thank all those people who supported my brother. I understand the Foreign Office has said there has been a change of US policy and is willing to deal with 'third' countries. This change as well as the change of heart in the British Government would not have happened without our campaign and all those people who stood with us for justice."
Ahmed Belbacha is not amongst the men whose return has been announced.
As far as we know, the US is still planning to return him to Algeria
Mr. Belbacha previously lived in the city of Bournemouth, where he sought asylum from persecution in Algeria, by both the government and the opposition to the regime. The probability of his persecution has only been enhanced by false accusations and assumptions against him coupled with the stigma that accompanies most Guantanamo returnees're-entry into society.
A U.S. federal judge indicated that she would likely have granted an order barring his refoulement (illegal return) to Algeria , based on evidence presented by his lawyers. However, under the Military Commissions Act promoted by the Bush Administration the judge felt she was powerless to prevent his forcible return to face torture. Diplomatic assurances from the Algerian government are highly unreliable given its past record of flagrant human rights violations.
Please write to the British Home and Foreign Secretaries to demand that they allow Ahmed Belbacha to return to the UK, which is a viable alternative for him.
Please state that:
Ahmed Belbacha lived in the UK peacefully for 2 ½ years.
He has been cleared for release by the Americans and there are no charges against him. He is not deemed to pose a threat.
The British government can take action to help a resident. A precedent lies in the return of Bisher Al-Rawi in March 2007.
Ahmed Belbacha faces imminent danger to his life if returned to Algeria.
Please send your letters immediately to:
Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith MP , Home Secretary , The Home Office, , 50 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1 9AT
Fax: 020 7219 4815 Email:
Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP Foreign Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles St, London SW1A 2AH
And please contact the State Department to protest against ant atempt to send Ahmed to Algeria and to demand compliance with the Convention Against Torture and the Refugee Convention:
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State,, Department of State,, 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington DC 20520, USA
Fax: +1 202 261 8577 E-mail: . Salutation: Dear Secretary of State
The Honorable Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301 , USA
Fax: +1 703 697 8339 Salutation: Dear Secretary of Defense
His Excellency Mr Robert Tuttle, Embassy of the United States , 24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE. Website: http://www.usembassy.org.uk (marked for the attention of the Ambassador)
Cageprisoners has learned that the U.S. military is intending to forcibly repatriate four prisoners from GuantánamoBay to Algeria on Monday, August 6, 2007. Amongst these prisoners is Ahmed Belbacha, a former British resident of Algerian origin, who was cleared for release by the U.S in February 2007 after having been deemed to ‘pose no threat’ to the USA.
Mr. Belbacha previously lived in the city of Bournemouth , England , where he sought asylum from persecution in Algeria , by both the government and the extreme elements in opposition to the regime. The probability of his persecution has only been enhanced by false accusations and assumptions against him coupled with the stigma that accompanies most Guantánamo returnees’ re-entry into society.
A U.S. federal judge indicated that she would likely have granted an order barring his refoulement (illegal return) to Algeria , based on evidence presented by his lawyers. However, under the Military Commissions Act promoted by the Bush Administration the judge felt she was powerless to prevent his forcible return to face torture. Diplomatic assurances from the Algerian government are highly unreliable given its past record of flagrant human rightsviolations.Mr. Belbacha has already suffered heavily at the hands of the United States military for over five years – without charge or trial –, and only intervention by the Supreme Court can prevent him being forwarded for the next chapter of abuse in Algeria. If returned to Algeria, he faces either being jailed and tortured by the Algerian government or being released and facing threats to his life from militants. Either way Mr. Belbacha’s life will be in grave danger.
URGENT ACTION REQUIRED
Time is running out for Ahmed Belbacha: write to the American authorities and tell them not to return Ahmed to Algeria . Write to the American Secretary of State and the American Secretary of Defence, as well as the American ambassador in London . Write to them to ensure that they act now.
At the earliest possible moment, please contact the State Department (U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW , Washington , DC 20520 -- 202-647-4000) and the Department of Defense (http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/comment.aspx) to protest this action and demand compliance with the Convention Against Torture and the Refugee Convention.
Please send your letters immediately to:
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State, Department of State, 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington DC 20520, USA
Fax: +1 202 261 8577 E-mail:
Salutation: Dear Secretary of State
The Honorable Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301 , USA
Fax: +1 703 697 8339 Salutation: Dear Secretary of Defense
His Excellency Mr Robert Tuttle,
Embassy of the United States ,
24 Grosvenor Square,
London W1A 1AE.
Website: http://www.usembassy.org.uk
(marked for the attention of the Ambassador)
Also write to the British Home and Foreign Secretaries to demand that they allow Ahmed Belbacha to return to the UK , which is a viable alternative for him.
Please state that:
Ahmed Belbacha lived in the UK peacefully for 2 ½ years.
He has been cleared for release by the Americans and there are no charges against him. He is not deemed to pose a threat.
The British government can take action to help a resident. A precedent lies in the return of Bisher Al-Rawi in March 2007.
Ahmed Belbacha faces imminent danger to his life if returned to Algeria .
Background: · Ahmed Belbacha, a 36 year old Algerian lived in the UK for two and a half years from 1999 to 2001. He lived in Bournemouth and worked in hotels where he won awards and praise for his work, including a large tip and handwritten note from former deputy prime minister, John Prescott. · Ahmed is a talented footballer and played professionally in Algeria. · In 2001, he left the UK to visit Afghanistan for six months and had a return ticket to the UK. · He disappeared there and his family had no news from him for over two years until 2004 when the Red Cross wrote to inform them that he was in Guantánamo Bay. · In February 2007, he was cleared for release from Guantánamo Bay by the Pentagon and deemed to pose no threat at all. · In July 2007, the Algerian authorities said that it was prepared to take back 7 of its nationals held in Guantánamo Bay, including Ahmed Belbacha. If returned to Algeria, he faces either being jailed and tortured by the Algerian government or being released and facing threats to his life from Islamists. If returned to Algeria, Ahmed’s life will be in grave danger. · He currently faces the prospect of being returned to Algeria any day. Lawyers for Ahmed are trying to block his return to Algeria.
Take action! Time is running out for Ahmed Belbacha: write to the American authorities and tell them not to return Ahmed to Algeria. Write to the American Secretary of State and the American Secretary of Defence, as well as the American ambassador in London. Write to them to ensure that they act now. Please state that:
· Ahmed Belbacha faces serious dangers if sent back to the Algeria, both from the Algerian government and Islamic extremists · Diplomatic assurances from Algeria are worthless, given its past history of abuse of human rights · The United States cannot deliver people from Guantánamo to torture and abuse – that only makes the problem of Guantánamo worse.
Please send your letters immediately to: The Honorable Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State, Department of State, 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington DC 20520, USA Fax: +1 202 261 8577 E-mail:
Salutation: Dear Secretary of State
The Honorable Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301, USA Fax: +1 703 697 8339 Salutation: Dear Secretary of Defense
His Excellency Mr Robert Tuttle, Embassy of the United States, 24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE. Website: http://www.usembassy.org.uk (marked for the attention of the Ambassador)
Also write to the British Home and Foreign Secretaries to demand that they allow Ahmed Belbacha to return to the UK, which is a viable alternative for him.
Please state that:
Ahmed Belbacha lived in the UK peacefully for 2 ½ years.
He has been cleared for release by the Americans and there are no charges against him. He is not deemed to pose a threat.
The British government can take action to help a resident. A precedent lies in the return of Bisher Al-Rawi in March 2007.
Ahmed Belbacha faces imminent danger to his life if returned to Algeria.
Please send your letters immediately to: Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith MP Home Secretary The Home Office, 50 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1 9AT Fax: 020 7219 4815 Email:
Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP Foreign Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles St, London SW1A 2AH
Report submitted by Iqbal Tamimi, A Middle Eastern Journalist.
The Saudi Minister of Interior announced the arrival of 16 of the detained Saudi prisoners in Guantanamo this morning Monday 16th July 2007.
Prince Naef Bin Abdelaziz Minister of Interior announced the arrival of the 16 detainees this morning, and he assured the families of the rest of the detainees that the Kingdom will keep trying in its efforts to release the rest of the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay.
This make the number of released Saudi prisoners in Guantanamo 77 persons, the remaining 53 are still hoping to be released soon.
The names of the released arrived in Saudi Arabia are:
1-Fahad Nasir Mohammad Al Sultan Alqahtani
2-Sawood Dakheel Allah Musleh Aljuhani
3-Mohammad Naji Subhi Almahiyawi Aljuhani
4-Yahya Samil Swemil alalyani Alsalami
5-Bjad daif Allah Hwaimel Alotaibi
6-Mazin Saleh musaed Aloofi
7-Abdelrahman oydah Mohammad Aljeed
8-Bandar Ahmad Mubarak Aljabiri
9-Saad Ibraheem Ramsy Alzaharani
10-Mohammad Abdelrahman Abed Alqurashi
11-Hmood Dakheel Hmood Aljadaani
12-Khalid Mohammad Ali Alzahrani
13-Jomaa Mohammad Abdelateef Aldosary
14-Bandar Ayed Hmood Alotaibi
15-Abd Allah Husain Saad Alzahrani
16-Ghanim Abdelrahman Ghanem Alharbi
The speaker on behalf of the security department in the Ministry of interior said their families have been informed that they have arrived to facilitate their meeting with their families.
Time is running out for North London resident Jamil El-Banna: if the British government does not act fast and allow him to return to his family in the UK, he will be returned to almost certain detention and inhumane treatment in Jordan, his country of origin. Take action...if you write only ONE letter to the Home Secretary this year, let this be the one. Forward this Urgent Action on to your friends and family and let us tell Jacqui Smith MP what we want and when we want it.
Background (Includes Sample Letter to Home Secretary- Please Read on)
· Jamil El-Banna, a 45 year old Jordanian national, has lived in the UK with his wife since 1994. The couple were granted refugee status in 1997. · He was kidnapped at Banjul Airport in Gambia in November 2002 along with his friend, Iraqi Bisher El-Rawi. They had travelled there on a business trip. · After being interrogated for a month in Gambia, the pair were taken to Afghanistan where they were tortured in the notorious “Dark Prison”. During this time, their families had no idea of where they were. · In February 2003, they were taken to Guantánamo Bay. · In November 2005, British lawyers for the pair and a third British resident in Guantánamo Bay, Libyan Omar Deghayes, launched a judicial review of the home secretary’s refusal to make representations on behalf of these men to return them to the UK, in particular given their refugee status in this country and subsequent duties incumbent on the UK government under the UN Convention on Refugees. · In 2006, telegram evidence emerged of the British government’s knowledge and involvement in Jamil and Bisher’s kidnap and “rendition”. · A year after representations were commenced on behalf of Bisher El-Rawi by the British government, he was released and returned to the UK in March 2007. The British government has refused to make any such representations for Jamil. · In April 2007, Jamil was cleared of all charges by the Pentagon and is free to leave Guantánamo Bay as soon as he has a country to return to. As a refugee, returning to Jordan would mean he is almost certain to face further detention and inhumane treatment, although Jordan has agreed to accept him. · The British government is still refusing to act on Jamil’s behalf, in spite of its international obligations towards him as a refugee. · Lawyers for Jamil started an emergency judicial review of the Home Secretary’s inaction in June 2007 which will be heard in July 2007. · Jamil was in the process of applying for British citizenship when he travelled to the Gambia.
Take action!
Time is running out for Jamil El-Banna: if the British government does not fulfil its moral duties soon, Jamil will be sent back to Jordan where he is almost certain to be jailed and abused. He has a wife and five British children in the UK. Write to the new British Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, and ask her to take immediate action to ensure that Jamil El-Banna is returned to the UK NOW: - Jamil has been found innocent by the American authorities and is not deemed to be a threat to anyone and is now free to leave Guantánamo Bay; - The UK has a moral and legal obligation towards Jamil under international conventions having accepted him as a refugee; - Jamil has a wife and five children, who are British nationals, living in the UK; - If the British government does not act IMMEDIATELY to bring Jamil back to the UK, he will be returned to Jordan where he will face further illegal detention and torture; - Furthermore, a precedent lies in the return of Bisher El-Rawi in March 2007. The British government can take action.
Sample letter (it is better to adapt the letter below when writing to the Home Secretary - You can Copy and Paste and edit)
Dear Ms. Smith,
I am writing to you concerning the urgent plight of one of the British residents held at Guantánamo Bay. Jamil El-Banna has been held in Guantánamo Bay without charge or trial for the last four years.
Jamil El-Banna has recently been cleared of all charges and is not considered to pose a threat by the US authorities. He can leave as soon as he has a country to return to; that country should be the United Kingdom, where Mr. El-Banna held refugee status and has a wife and five children who are all British nationals. He was in the process of applying for British citizenship when he left the UK for a one month visit to the Gambia in November 2002, from which he has yet to return.
As a refugee, the British government has both a moral and legal obligation towards Mr. El-Banna and the result of the British government’s failure to recognise this responsibility for the past four years will only be compounded further if Mr. El-Banna is returned to Jordan, where he fled from, rather than being returned to his family in London. If returned to Jordan, he is almost certain to face further illegal detention and inhumane treatment.
While the government has denied its responsibility for the past four years, your predecessors have already proved that the British government can take action when it chooses; Mr El-Banna’s friend Bisher El-Rawi was returned to the UK from Guantánamo Bay in March 2007 after the British government made representations with the US government on his behalf.
I urge to meet your obligations and take urgent action to ensure Mr El-Banna’s safe and immediate return to Britain. I hope that this can be one of the first positive steps that your government is claiming to bring to the UK.
The Right Honourable Gordon Brown PM 10 Downing Street
Dear Prime Minister
We, the undersigned, relatives of British residents detained in Guantanamo Bay detention facility, former Guantanamo prisoners, lawyers for the prisoners, and concerned individuals, call upon you to use all means at your disposal to obtain the return to this country of all British residents illegally detained at Guantanamo Bay. All have made homes in this country; some, like Omar Deghayes after fleeing possible torture and death in Libya. They have now been detained for five years or more without charge or trial, in a prison where UN officials have documented torture and abuse. We are very concerned about their physical and mental wellbeing.
Today Americans celebrate their Independence Day, rightly highlighting the concepts of equality, liberty and rights enshrined in their Constitution. Today, the Detention Facility at Guantanamo Bay sadly celebrates its 2000th day. The Guantanamo Bay prisoners are denied those cherished rights: the ‘unalienable rights’ to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’, the rights to a speedy trial, humane treatment and due process contained in the US Bill of Rights. Instead, 375 people are still subjected to arbitrary and indefinite imprisonment, denied the rights that mark civilised society and the rule of law. This is having a devastating effect on the physical and mental health of the detainees. At least four detainees have died within the last 13 months. We are marking this day with the launch of an exhibition and public meeting on Guantanamo at the House of Commons and welcome you to attend.
Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell recently said he would have Guantanamo closed 'this afternoon' rather than tomorrow. We call for you, likewise, to add your voice to the calls for its closure.
No-one has been released from Guantanamo as a result of a legal process. The British government’s refusal to act on behalf of the British residents leaves them in a legal black hole. We ask that the British Government accept its moral responsibility for these men and negotiate for them to be reunited with their families here or in a safe place of their choosing.
We urge you to make this a priority in the first days of your premiership. To ignore such abuses will set back any ‘war on terrorism’. Please do everything you can to bring back the British residents before their health and lives are irretrievably damaged.
Yours sincerely
Moazzam Begg, former Guantanamo detainee, Cageprisoners Ruhal Ahmed, former Guantanamo detainee Bisher Al Rawi, former Guantanamo detainee Airat Vakhitov, former Guantanamo detainee Mourad Benchellali, former Guantanamo detainee Shafiq Rasul, former Guantanamo detainee Mrs El-Banna, wife of British Resident held in Guantanamo, Jamil El-Banna Amani Deghayes, sister of British resident held in Guantanamo, Omar Deghayes Mrs Aamer, wife of British resident held in Guantanamo, Shaker Aamer Prof. Dr. Manfred Nowak, LL.M, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Professor for International Human Rights Protection, University of Vienna, Director, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights Baroness Sarah Ludford, MEP Lord Nazir Ahmed Baron Dholakia Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Baroness Frances D’Souza Dr. Adnan Siddiqui, Cageprisoners Clive Stafford Smith, Legal Director, Reprieve (counsel to many prisoners) Zachary Katznelson, Senior Counsel, Reprieve Kate Allen, Director, Amnesty International UK Jean Lambert MEP Sajjad Karim, MEP Caroline Lucas MEP Clare Short MP Geoffrey Bindman, Chair of the British Institute for Human Rights John Pilger, Journalist, author & film-maker Tahir Butt, Metropolitan Police, Spokesman for Association of Muslim Police Professor Bill Bowring, Barrister, Professor of Law, Birbeck College Louise Christian, Christian Khan Shami Chakrabarti, Liberty Natalia Garcia, lawyer for British resident in Guantanamo, Tyndalwoods Phil Shiner, Public Interest Lawyers Vanessa Redgrave, Actress Corin Redgrave, Actor, Guantanamo Human Rights Commission Kika Markham, Actress Liz Davies, Chair, Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers Yvonne Ridley, Journalist Dr Azzam Tamimi, Tariq Ramadan, Senior Research Fellow, Oxford St Anthony’s College, Lokahi Foundation (London), Visiting Professor, Erasmus University, Holland, Doshisha University (Japan) Ian Macdonald QC, Garden Court Chambers Nusrat Chagtai, Director, British Muslim Human Rights Centre Richard Hermer, Doughty Street Chambers Mudassar Arani, Arani & Co Solicitors Javaid Rehman, Professor of International Law and Director of Research, Brunel University Dr David Nicholl, Birmingham Guantanamo Campaign Estella Schmidt, CAMPACC Dr A. Sivanandan, Writer, Institute of Race Relations Ian Waller, Human Rights and Social Justice Research Institute, London Metropolitan University Lindsey German, National Convenor, Stop the War Coalition Imran Khan, Imran Khan & Partners Victoria Brittain, Author and playwright Matt Whitecross, Revolution Films, Director, The Road to Guantanamo Aki Nawaz, Fun Da Mental Andy Worthington, Author, The Guantanamo Files Ruhul Tarafder, 1990 Trust Naima Bouteldja, Journalist Linda Rogers, Peace & Progress Errol Walters, Director of Black Londoners Forum Karen Chouhan, 1990 Trust Helen Shaw, Co-Director, INQUEST Salma Yaqoob, Birmingham City Councillor, Respect Massoud Shadjareh, Chair, Islamic Human Rights Commission Andrew Tyrie MP
2000 days of illegal imprisonment; 2000 days of captivity; 2000 days of torture; 2000 days of brutality; 2000 days of injustice. 4th July 2007 marks 2000 days of Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility.
On the 4th July, America will be celebrating it’s Declaration of Independence’ which recites ‘that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness’. The irony is stark. On this day we remind the world of the continued denial of the most basic human rights by the USA at Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility.
Opened on 11th January 2002, over 800 people have been held captive in Guantanamo, of whom 380 remain. Over 400 captives have been released without ever having been charged or facing a trial. Innocent men and children have been snatched, rendered, held,often in solitary confinement, tortured, humiliated, brutalised and then released without even an apology. Hundreds of men continue to be held in captivity in inhumane and torturous conditions without the fundamental human right of knowing why they are being held and right to a fair trial. No one from Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility has been charged in connection with 11th September Attacks, yet the USA and British governments would have us believe otherwise. National Coalition of Guantanamo Campaigns
Last month Ahmed Errachiddi was released from Guantanamo and sent to Morocco.
Campaigners are concerned about the fate of all the British residents held at Guantanamo. We would like the Prime Minister to use his "special relationship" with United States and ensure the return of all the British residents held at Guantanamo to their families in Britain.
Please sign the petition by following the link below on the Prime Minister's website asking him to get the British residents back to Britain.
Following on from Ahmed Errachidi's release from Guantanamo and subsequent disappearance in Morocco, campaigners demanding the closure of Guantanamo and the release of all detainees will be protesting outside the American embassy on Thursday the 3rd and friday the 4th between 6.00 pm to 7.00 on each day.
Please join the protest to ensure the safe return of all British residents held at Guantanamo including Ahmed Erracchidi. We are also proposing a letter writing campaign. The urgent Action notice below includes sample letters and addresses, including email addresses, that letters should be directed to. Please do everything you can.
Urgent Action: British resident AHMED ERRACHIDI has been released from Guantánamo Bay and has subsequently “disappeared” in Morocco
Background:
Ahmed Errachidi, a 41 year old Moroccan national, lived in Holloway, North London; he had lived in the UK for 18 years and was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in the late 1990s. He has two children who are British nationals.
In 2001, he travelled to Pakistan to start a business venture to raise funds for a desperately-needed heart operation for his son. He was sold to the US military by Pakistani bounty hunters in Islamabad.
He was then transferred to American jails in Afghanistan before being sent to Guantánamo Bay.
Ahmed Errachidi had been held in Guantánamo Bay for over 5 years, during which he earned himself the nickname “The General” for his good English and organising other prisoners in actions against prison guards.
He spent three years in constant solitary confinement, the longest of any Guantánamo detainee, for refusing to cooperate with the prison authorities.
Ahmed Errachidi took part in the hunger strike in 2006 to protest his innocence.
In March 2007, the American government corroborated that and cleared him for immediate release as he poses NO threat to security whatsoever - this was after 5 YEARS PLUS of detention without charge or trial.
The British government has obtusely refused to seek the return of the ten British residents to the UK, although they secured the return of an Iraqi, Bisher El-Rawi, in March 2007.
Ahmed Errachidi was released on 24 April 2007 to Morocco where he subsequently “disappeared” upon arrival. “Disappearances” are common in Morocco, a country which is well known for its practice of torture and repression. Binyam Mohammed, a fellow British resident, was tortured in Morocco for several months, en route to Guantánamo.
Take action! Write to the British Foreign Secretary (the least she can now do is press the Moroccan authorities to reveal his whereabouts) and the Moroccan Authorities (in English, French or Arabic) asking: - for Ahmed’s whereabouts to be revealed - for assurances to be provided that he is safe and not facing torture or any other forms of degrading and inhuman treatment - for Ahmed to be granted immediate access to medical care, his family and lawyers - to demand that Ahmed Errachidi be charged with recognisable legal offences or released IMMEDIATELY
Sample letter to Moroccan authorities: (feel free to adapt and/or write your own) Dear, I am writing to you concerning Ahmed Errachidi. Ahmed is a 41 year old Moroccan national who was returned to your country from Guantánamo Bay on Tuesday 24 April where he disappeared immediately upon arrival. His current whereabouts are still unknown and I am concerned for his physical and mental wellbeing. Ahmed was released after 5 years of detention without charge or trial at Guantánamo Bay after the American authorities acknowledged that he was innocent and has no links to terrorism. Ahmed was unjustly detained for five years. I call you on you to make his whereabouts known immediately and to provide me with assurances that he is safe and is not facing torture or any other forms of degrading and inhuman treatment. I demand that Ahmed be granted immediate access to medical care, his family and lawyers. Ahmed Errachidi is an innocent man and has already been wrongly detained for five years; I therefore call you on charge Ahmed Errachidi with recognisable offences for which you have proof or to release him immediately. Please take action to uphold Ahmed’s human rights now.
Yours sincerely, Write to:
His Majesty King Mohammad VI King of Morocco The Royal Palace Rabat, The Kingdom of Morocco Fax: + 212 37 76 85 15 (Greeting: Your Majesty)
Mohamed Bouzoubaa Minister of Justice Place El-Mamounia Rabat, Morocco (Greeting: Your Excellency)
Moroccan Embassy in the UK HE Mohammed Belmahi The Moroccan Embassy 49 Queen’s Gates Gardens London, SW7 5NE Fax: + 44 20 7225 3862
or the one below if this does not work ihilan@yahoo. co.uk
Sample letter to Margaret Beckett: (feel free to adapt and/or write your own)
Dear,
I am writing to you concerning Ahmed Errachidi. Ahmed is a 41 year old Moroccan national who was returned to Morocco from Guantánamo Bay on Tuesday 24 April where he disappeared immediately upon arrival. His current whereabouts are still unknown and I am concerned for his physical and mental wellbeing.
Ahmed lived in Holloway, North London; he had lived in the UK for 18 years and was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in the late 1990s. He has two children who are British nationals. Ahmed was released after 5 years of detention without charge or trial at Guantánamo Bay after the American authorities acknowledged that he was innocent and has no links to terrorism. Ahmed was unjustly detained for five years.
I call on you to take immediate steps to determine his whereabouts and ensure his immediate return to Britain. You would need to take urgent action to ensure against any form of degrading and inhuman treatment. Additionally The British Foreign office must try and get access to Ahmed Errachidi as soon as possible to confirm his safety and security. I hope you will take immediate action to uphold Ahmed’s human rights now
Yours sincerely,
Write to: The British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, SW1A AH Fax: + 44 20 7839 2417
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