In a report published today on the national Saudi Arabian Alriyadh newspaper, The National Human Rights Society in Saudi Arabia called upon President George w Bush during his historical visit to release all the rest of prisoners remained in Guantanamo, and to close the prison for ever, demanding the release of the Saudi prisoner Humaidan Alturki.
The announcement was made by the Chair of the society Dr. Bandar Alhajjar, at a press conference held at Albabotain Cultural Centre.
Dr. Alhajjar explained that the Society is taking the opportunity during President Bush’s visit to the Kingdom to talk about the detained Saudi prisoners at Guantanamo, who were held for more than 5 years without being charged or convicted or stand a trial. Such prolonged detention raised many negative outcomes for them and their families Dr. Alhajjar said.
The Saudi National Society for Human Rights stressed that this prolonged detention without trial counteracts with the principals and ethics recognised by US law, which was established on justice and freedom and according to International laws.
The Society urged President Bust to release the detainees immediately, to offer them the chance to enrol in a mental rehabilitation program created by the government of Saudi Arabia, hailed on national and international level for its success.
The speaker on behalf of security affairs at Ministry of Interior in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced today the 29th of December 2007 the return of 10 Saudi prisoners from Guantanamo. Their families have been informed of their arrivals, and arrangements have been made to meet them.
It is worth mentioning that there were not even one evidence to support USA‘s decision to imprison those people, and others at Guantanamo for almost 5 years.
The men were extremely exhausted after years of unfair imprisonment, and bad treatment. Their release was an outcome of the joint effort of human rights organisations and groups, lawyers, and a large number of individuals who respected the dignity of humans, and their rights.
The names of returned prisoners from Guantanamo to KSA are as follows:
The National Coalition welcomes the arrival of three of the British residents from Guantanamo to Britain last night. However, we are concerned and disappointed about their arrests on landing in Britain and specially the subsequent extradition request for Jamil el Banna by the Spanish law enforecment agencies. These same agencies had several years to consider any evidence they may have had against Jamil but refused to request his extradition from Guantanamo stating that they had no case against him. His extradition would be challenged and we also demand that all the other returnees be released immediately to their families. It is an ocassion of celebration in both the christian and muslim calanders and for the authorities to hold these men to fulfil some political agendas does not speak well for our society and its administrators. The families of the detainees and the detainees have suffered enough to have to go through such callous treatment at the end of their ordeal at Guantanamo.
Jamil el Banna will be presented to the Westminister Magistrates Court this morning thursday the 20th December 2007around 10.00 pm, the National Coalition would urge all those can to attend the court to show their support for Jamil and other returnees and impress on the court the unjust nature of the extradition request by the Spanish law enforcement authorities after the long ordeal these detainees have been through over the last several years.
Cageprisoners is hosting a series of events around the UK, and inviting people to attend a truly unique opportunity to hear former US army Chaplain James Yee speak and discuss his experiences with former Guantánamo detainee and Cageprisoners’ spokesman, Moazzam Begg.
There are few people in the world who have never heard of the notorious US military prison facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. However, very few people have heard eye-witness accounts from US military personnel who served there - and even more rarely from Muslims within the US military.
Chaplain (Yusuf) James J. Yee, a former US Army Chaplain and graduate of West Point served as the Muslim Chaplain for the U.S. prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2003. While ministering to prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Captain Yee advised camp commanders on detainee religious practices and objected to the cruel and degrading abuses to which the prisoners were subjected.
What sets Yee’s already unique story apart from others is how his fortune changed from being recognized twice as an outstanding officer serving the US military to being regarded as an enemy of the state. Captain Yee was arrested and imprisoned in a Naval brig for 76 days in September 2003 while being falsely accused of spying, espionage, and aiding the alleged Taliban and Al-Qaeda prisoners.
He was held in solitary confinement and subjected to the same sensory deprivation techniques that were being used against the prisoners in Cuba that he had been ministering to.
After months of government investigation, all criminal charges were dropped. He tendered his resignation from the U.S. Army and received an Honorable Discharge on January 7, 2005. Upon separation he was awarded with a second Army Commendation medal for “exceptionally meritorious service.”
James Yee will be speaking with Moazzam Begg at the London Muslim Centre on Wednesday 5th December, (in conjunction with Q News and Hidden Detainees), in Birmingham on Thursday 6th December (co-organised by the BirminghamGuantanamo Coalition), where they will also be joined by the ‘Tipton Three’, and in Luton on Sunday 9th December.
Yee will also be touring the UK, in conjunction with FOSIS, Scotland Against Criminalising Communities, Save Omar Deghayes Campaign, and speaking in a host of cities, amongst them Glasgow, Dundee, Brighton, Manchester, and Lampeter. For full details of his UK itinery see below.
Copies of Yee’s gripping account of his Guantanamo experience and struggle for justice For God And Country: Faith and Patriotism Under Fire will also be available at most events
Dates and Venues: Wednesday 28th November - Lancaster University Thursday 29th Nov - Kings College, London, 5 pm Friday 30th Nov - FOSIS, University of Sussex & University of Portsmouth Saturday 1st December - FOSIS, University of Kent Sunday 2nd Dec - FOSIS, University of Bristol & University of Exeter Monday 3rd Dec - FOSIS, Midlands Tuesday 4th Dec - FOSIS, Manchester Metropolitan & University of Leeds Wednesday 5th Dec - Cageprisoners, Hidden Detainees and Q News, London Muslim Centre, Whitechapel E1, 6:30pm. With Moazzam Begg http://www.cagepris oners.com/ campaigns. php?id=597 Thursday 6th Dec - Cageprisoners and BirminghamGuantanamo Campaign, Birmingham, 7pm, With Moazzam Begg and Tipton Three Friday 7th Dec - SACC, Glasgow Saturday 8th Dec - FOSIS, Dundee University Sunday 9th Dec - Cageprisoners, Dallow Community Centre, 234 Dallow Road, Luton, LU1 1TF, 5:30pm http://www.cagepris oners.com/ campaigns. php?id=598 Monday 10th Dec - Save Omar, Brighton
In August 2007, Gordon Brown’s government decided to allow FIVE men being held at the US-run Guantánamo Bay detention camp to return to the UK . All of these men have close links to the UK – having lived here for extended periods or as they have British families. While this is a welcome move by the British government, one man was significantly missed off the list: Ahmed Belbacha, a 36 year old Algerian national.
Ahmed was cleared for release by the Pentagon in February 2007 and is deemed to pose no threat by the US authorities but has since been left languishing in Guantánamo Bay for the best part of this year for want of a country to claim him.
Ahmed cannot return to his native Algeria as he fled the country after threats were made to his life by Islamists and is likely to face further persecution by the government if he is returned having been tarnished by unfounded claims of being an “enemy combatant”.
Ahmed’s claim for asylum in the UK was being appealed in 2001 when he was kidnapped and turned over to the US military in Pakistan . He should be allowed to return to the UK , where he had lived, in Bournemouth , for over two and a half years.
The US authorities are currently trying to return him to Algeria where his life will be in danger. His lawyers are currently appealing to the US courts to block his return there.
Take action – write to the Foreign Secretary David Miliband to ask him to write to Condoleezza Rice to request Ahmed Belbacha’s return to the UK (cut and paste the following letter, print it and post it or email it to milibandd@parliamen t.uk. This letter may also be sent to Jacqui Smith (smithjj@parliament. uk), the Home Secretary. Feel free to edit the content.
Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP
Foreign Secretary,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles St , London SW1A 2AH
Dear Mr. Miliband,
I am writing to you concerning the plight of Ahmed Belbacha, who is currently being held at Guantánamo Bay .
Ahmed Belbacha is a 36 year old Algerian who fled to the UK in July 2000 and claimed asylum. Before fleeing Algeria he had been targeted by the GIA because he was an employee of the state-run Sonatrach Petroleum Company. His application for asylum was refused by the Home Office on the routine Home Office grounds for refusal that the GIA was not a force in the whole country so it was said that Ahmed could safely live elsewhere within Algeria. Unfortunately by the time of the hearing of his appeal in December 2001, Ahmed had already been kidnapped in Pakistan and was on his way to Guantánamo Bay , where he has been ever since. Consequently his appeal was heard in his absence and was denied on 2 January 2002.
Despite being deemed by the Military Annual Review Board in Guantánamo Bay in February 2007 not to pose a threat to the US and her allies and hence cleared for release, he remains detained at GTMO as he was not included in the list of former British residents whose return to this country you requested in August of this year.
As the US has publicly stated that its policy is to return cleared detainees to their country of nationality, Ahmed faces the real prospect of being returned to Algeria where his life will be in grave danger; particularly following the suspicion that must now attract to him as a person who at one point was deemed by the US military to be an ‘enemy combatant’.
The only humane course open is for you to allow Ahmed to return to the UK and give him an opportunity to pursue his application for asylum. This is a matter of natural justice.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Also write to your MP (contact details at www.theyworkforyou. com) and ask them to contact and bring pressure to bear on the Foreign Secretary concerning Ahmed Belbacha on your behalf.
House of Commons
London, SW1A 0AA
Dear
I am writing to you as my Constituency MP, to express my concerns about the plight of Ahmed Belbacha, who is being held at Guantánamo Bay . I would appreciate a reply to my letter.
Ahmed Belbacha is a 36 year old Algerian who fled to the UK in July 2000 and claimed asylum. Before fleeing Algeria he had been targeted by the GIA because he was an employee of the state-run Sonatrach Petroleum Company. His application for asylum was refused by the Home Office on the routine Home Office grounds for refusal that the GIA was not a force in the whole country so it was said that Ahmed could safely live elsewhere within Algeria. Unfortunately by the time of the hearing of his appeal in December 2001, Ahmed had already been kidnapped in Pakistan and was on his way to Guantánamo Bay , where he has been ever since. Consequently his appeal was heard in his absence and was denied on 2 January 2002.
Despite being deemed by the Military Annual Review Board in Guantánamo Bay in February 2007 not to pose a threat to the US and her allies and hence cleared for release, he remains detained at GTMO as Ahmed was not included in the list of former British residents whose return to this country was requested by the Foreign Secretary in August of this year.
As the US has publicly stated that its policy is to return cleared detainees to their country of nationality, Ahmed faces the real prospect of being returned to Algeria where his life will be in grave danger; particularly following the suspicion that must now attract to him as a person who at one point was deemed by the US military to be an ‘enemy combatant’.
The only humane course open to the British Government is to allow Ahmed to return to the UK and give him an opportunity to pursue his application for asylum. This is a matter of natural justice.
I am writing to ask you to bring pressure to bear upon the Government to take a moral stance, by extending their efforts on behalf of Ahmed Belbacha to allow him to return to this country and pursue his claim for asylum.
I ask you to pass my concerns about this to the Foreign Secretary, and I look forward to hearing from you.
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.
The National Coalition
