Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Human Rights Law Blogs -> Never In Our Names

Human Rights Law

: Never In Our Names

Wednesday Guantanamo News Roundup

By possum

The days continue to pass while the prisoners at Guantanamo languish in detention as the world debates their future.  The political wranglings continue day by day as do the judicial proceedings.  Every day brings new news to the scene.

From Spain comes the question, "Will the U.S. investigate illegal actions at Guantanamo?"

Spanish judge Eloy Velasco announced Tuesday he had asked the United States to inform him whether it was probing or intended to probe allegations of torture and other illegal practices at the prison camp in Guantanamo, Cuba.

The judge needs the information in order to determine if or not to proceed with his National Court case.
Quantico may not be a final destination for Guantanamo prisoners if the local board of supervisors has any say in the matter.

The board voted 6-1 to pass a resolution to formally oppose such action (transfer of prisoners to the Marine facility at Quantico).

Britain may accept the transfer of some prisoners if the U.S. asks for that help.

British Justice Secretary Jack Straw said Monday his country would consider taking Guant?namo Bay detainees if the United States asks for such help to close the detention facility.

According to Attorney General Holder no such request has yet been made.

Former Guantanamo guards have come forth and put their observations on the video record.

Former Guantanamo Bay military guards have come forward in recent weeks and months with stories about torture and abuse, and they are logged on YouTube and available for anyone to see.

Two of the videos are linked in the original article.

One detainee, Oybek Jamoldinivich Jabbarov, tells his own story in a letter from Guantanamo.

I am not alone. I am one of several dozen of the Guant?namo who cannot return to our native countries because we would likely be tortured and abused. Our only hope of getting out of this prison is that another country decides to provide safe haven to men like us - men who did nothing wrong and never should have been detained here in the first place.

Republican opposition to the transfer of prisoners to U.S. soil continues to grow.

State Sen. Neil Riser (R-LA) said he wants to send a message to Congress as it decides what to do with suspected terrorists being held in Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp when the U.S. closes the facility

France and Germany were given formal requests to take in some of the Chinese Uighur prisoners.

Most of the 17 Uighurs held at the controversial jail were cleared more than four years ago of being "enemy combatants."

indiewire.com

Peace.

Full post as published by Never In Our Names on May 06, 2009 (boomark / email).