One of President Obama’s first actions was to stop the unfair trials at Guantánamo Bay. But there is still more to do
Dear Mr President,
I’ve never met you, but like millions of others I felt that your election offered the chance of a new start for the United States of America, and was heartened by what you had to say about many things, not least about Guantánamo Bay and the use of torture.
I write to you on behalf of someone I’ve never met, nor have you, who once lived in the city I work in, London. And although I know you are extremely busy there is something that would only take you a few seconds that would possibly save his life, as well as sending a powerful message that you mean to follow fine words with fine actions. It would take you three words. “Release Binyam Mohamed.”
Binyam (as well as fellow Londoner Shaker Aamer) has many supporters here in the UK, and according to his lawyer is in a very poor state. As well as still suffering from his previous torture and deprivation his hunger strike makes his condition very dangerous, and unless released and given proper treatment he is likely to die in Guantánamo .
The British government has I understand made a request for his release. So far as is known the only problem of any sort over his release is the embarrassment it might cause to US and possibly also British security services if he is able to tell his story in full. This cannot be a valid reason for prolonging his unlawful imprisonment by a single second.
I don’t expect a personal reply, but it would be great to hear the news and see the pictures of Binyam and others returning to their homes, friends and families. I know there are problems with returning some of the prisoners who might be imprisoned or tortured on their return, but there can be no justification for keeping people like Binyam, where no such problem exists, in custody at Guantánamo a second longer.
You can say it. “Release Binyam Mohammed.” Yes you can!
Please do. And soon.
More on Binyam and the protests in this country against his detention on My London Diary, Jan 2008, July 2008 andJan 2009.
Of course I don’t claim any credit for it, but it was very gratifying to hear last Friday that Binyam would be released any day now – and one of today’s BBC headlines was that he should arrive here later today – Monday.
But Shaker Abdur-Raheem Aamer is still there, and his British wife and four children still waiting for him in Battersea. The BBC appear to have forgotten him when they describe Binyam as the last British resident in Guantanamo. Apparently Shaker has been cleared for release, but there seems to be no information about what his happening to him.
And of course getting the prisoners released is not the end of the story. There are still many questions to be asked both of the US and UK – and many people who should be brought to justice for their part in the torture and illegal imprisonment.