Guantánamo Bay - A Human Rights Scandal
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Leg irons and hand cuffs hang on a board at Camp Delta at Guantanamo Naval Base. © AFP |
Detainees
- About Detainees
- Detainees at Guantánamo Bay
- Sana'a Appeal
- Habeas Corpus
- US Obligations under International Law
Despite a major international outcry and expert condemnation of US government policy, hundreds of people of around 35 different nationalities remain held in a legal black hole at the US Naval Base in Guantánamo Bay in Cuba, many without access to any court, legal counsel or family visits. Denied their rights under international law and held in conditions which may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, the detainees face severe psychological distress. There have been numerous suicide attempts.
As more evidence surfaces that the abuse of Guantánamo detainees has been widespread, it is ever more urgent to end the plight of the detainees. US authorities must bring all detainees to trial, in full accordance with international law and standards, or else release them immediately and unconditionally.
Urge the US to Uphold Rights of Detainees at Guantánamo Bay
On November 8, 2004, US District Court Judge James Robertson issued a landmark decision in the case of Yemeni Guantánamo detainee Salim Ahmed Hamdan which resulted in the suspension of military commission proceedings in the US naval base. Amnesty International urges the US Government to accept Judge Robertson's decision and bring US policy into line with international human rights and humanitarian law and standards. Take Action. »
Guantánamo: Dangerous To Us All
Respect for human dignity and the rule of law are central to the pursuit of security. And yet Guantánamo has become an icon of lawlessness, with mounting evidence -- including allegations by FBI agents -- that Guantánamo detainees have been tortured and ill-treated. In depth report on Guantanamo: Dangerous to Us All. »
Who Are The Guantánamo Detainees?
Guantánamo: The Struggle for Our Children... "Reports of chronic abuse bring more anguish -- but new reason to hope as well." Article by Khalid Al-Odah, the father of Guantánamo detainee Fawzi Al-Odah. |  Khalid Al-Odah, father of Guantánamo detainee Fawzi Al-Odah. © AI |
Murat Kurnaz: German/Turkish Detainee "Why Murat was arrested - I don't know myself, I really don't know...The Washington Post has also recently written that he is innocent." Murat Kurnaz has been detained in Guantanámo Bay for three and a half years. His mother, Rabiye Kurnaz talks about the Turkish, German and US authorities that are doing nothing to help her and her son. |  Rabiye Kurnaz holding a photo of her son Murat. © AFP |
Australian detainees: David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib
David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib are the only two Australian nationals detained at Guantánamo Bay. AI is particularly concerned over the nature of the arrest, detention, transferral and allegations of torture of Mamdouh Habib. AI is also concerned with the allegations of abuse and mistreatment of David Hicks. Read more about David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib. »
Detainees from the UK
Five British nationals were released from Guantnamo Bay on 5 March 2004. Four of them were questioned by UK authorities on their return, but all were later released without charge. All have since spoken out about the poor conditions of detention at Guantnamo and have alleged ill-treatment. Read more about the detainees from the UK. »
Abdullah Kamal Al Kandari and 11 Other Kuwaitis
Abdullah is one of 12 Kuwaiti nationals captured during the international conflict in Afghanistan and currently detained as an "enemy combatant" at Guantánamo Bay. All are held without charge or trial, and most without access to their lawyers or families and in conditions which may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Read more about Kamal Al Kandari and the other 12 Kuwaiti nationals. »
5 Bahraini Detainees
When Amnesty International delegates visited the family of Isa al-Merbati in January 2004, they were first greeted by his five-year-old son running to them from the front door asking "Where is my Dad?". Isa is one of at least five Bahraini nationals being held as an 'enemy combatant' at the base. There is at least one other held who has joint Bahraini/Saudi Arabian nationality. Read more about Isa al-Merbati. »
