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Three Guantanamo detainees transferred to Ireland, Yemen

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The US Department of Justice (DOJ) Saturday announced that three more detainees have been released from the Guantanamo Bay prison. Two Uzbek detainees were transferred to Ireland and one Yemeni national was transferred to Yemen. According to the DOJ's release:As directed by the President's Jan. 22, 2009 Executive Order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of each of these cases. As a result of that review, these detainees were approved for transfer from Guantanamo Bay. In accordance with Congressionally-mandated reporting requirements, the Administration informed Congress of its intent to transfer each of these detainees at least 15 days before their transfer.The Irish government agreed to accept the two Uzbek detainees this past July, but their identities will remain undisclosed at the request of the Irish government in order to maintain security and privacy. Yemeni detainee Alla Ali Bin Ali Ahmed was picked up in an al Qaeda safe house in 2002 in Pakistan. The government had argued that Ahmed's detention was justified under the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). US District Judge Gladys Kessler ordered Ali Ahmed's release in May. While the Obama administration decides what to do with Guantanamo detainees who are still under investigation or who have been charged with crimes, a number of former detainees are being relocated around the globe. Earlier this month, Hungary said that it would take one Guantanamo detainee who is not under investigation by the US and who cannot return to his home country. Also this month, three Chinese Uighur Muslims agreed to be relocated to the Pacific island nation of Palau. In late August, Portugal accepted two Syrian nationals , and five other EU members agreed to give serious consideration to receiving former detainees.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on September 27, 2009 (boomark / email).