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Demonstration outside Law Courts supporting the British Residents held at Guantanamo PDF Print E-mail
HighCourt_2006_07_24_a.jpgAn application submitted in November 2005 by lawyers representing the families of Omar Deghayes, Jamil El-Banna and Bisher El-Rawi, three British residents currently being held illegally and without charge in Guantanamo Bay, that the Foreign Secretary request the US authorities to release and return them to the United Kingdom was turned down by the High Court in early May following a hearing in March 2006. However, the ruling in May conceded that the three men had all been abused and tortured in violation of the UN Convention on Torture and that their fundamental right to due process had been breached and leave was granted to the families to appeal. The appeal hearing is currently being heard, 24-26 July 2006, at the Court of Appeal, in the Strand, London.

Bring them home! No more detention with trial or charge! No more illegal prisons!

Demonstrate outside the Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London, WC1 (nearest tube: Temple/ Chancery Lane)

Demonstrations will take place from 10am-2.30pm. outside the court on Tuesday and Wednesday (if the case continues) Please check this space. Come and show your support to the families and demand that the British Government acts to release British residents illegally detained at Guantanamo Bay.



The families of Omar Deghayes and Jamil El-Banna attended the court today. Twelve supporters of the family turned out to demonstrate their support. On the first day, lawyers for the families presented their case. The court has conceded since the High Court hearing that the fact that the residents are foreign nationals is no longer an issue and that these men do not pose a high level security threat to the UK. At the start of proceedings, the judges also acknowledged that this is a very important case given the human rights violations and torture that has taken place and is taking place in Guantanamo Bay.

Irène Nembhard, the solicitor representing the families from Birnberg Peirce, described this case as “vital” and stated that the judgment would hinge on the Court’s willingness to make a decision that would impact on the ‘special’ relationship between the US and the UK. As usual, the UK is keen not to upset its American friends and so prejudges the US’s response to any such request and concludes that it does not believe that it has the resources required to monitor these men upon their return to the UK, as the Americans may require.

Zohra Deghayes, Omar Deghayes’ mother, thanked the supporters and said, “we hope that we’re successful and that something positive comes out of this case for all the prisoners and not just Omar”. Omar Deghayes’ sister, Amani, said, “We hope this appeal goes well. It’s been four years too long. Something has to be done soon as the government’s arguments are getting more and more ridiculous”.

Twelve demonstrators from the Save Omar Campaign (Brighton), the London Guantanamo Campaign, Amnesty Kingston and Enfield, Barnet and Palmers Green Amnesty were there to show their support to the families.

On day 2 (Tuesday 25), lawyers for the family will complete their summing up and government lawyers will then present their arguments. The demonstration will take place from 10am-2.30pm. Come and show your support to the families and demand that the British Government acts to release British residents illegally detained at Guantanamo Bay.

Bring them home! No more detention with trial or charge! No more illegal prisons!
Demonstrate outside the Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London, WC1 (nearest tube: Temple/ Chancery Lane)
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