Guantánamo Bay: Close it down and bring them home

The Haldane Society has launched a campaign calling on the British Government to secure the release from Guantánamo of eight British residents and to restore their rights of residence in the UK. We also seek the return of a ninth British resident, Jamal Kiyemba, recently released by the US but refused entry by British officials.

Guantanamo Bay The Home Office recently told Clive Stafford-Smith of Reprieve that a resident who stays out of the country for more than two years (irrespective of whether their absence was the result of illegal kidnap, false imprisonment and torture) has no right of return. They refused Kiyemba’s request to rejoin his family in this country on 'grounds of national security', notwithstanding the Americans’ determination that he presents no such threat.

We have therefore written to the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and the Home Secretary, emphasising the government’s human rights obligations to these nine British residents and insisting on their right to return here.

As lawyers we have a particular responsibility to hold our government to account when it fails to live up to its human rights obligations. We urge you and your colleagues to join us in this campaign and to send us copies of the letters you write. United, we can make a real difference, not only to the lives of these nine men but to the worldwide campaign to close down Guantánamo and to stop the illegal practice of 'extraordinary renditions'.

Amnesty International campaign

As well as taking our own initiatives, the Haldane Society supports Amnesty International's campaign against Guantánamo Bay. Visit their website to find 10 things you can do right now to help close it down.

London Guantánamo Campaign

The London Guantánamo Campaign is starting up a weekly protest outside the US Embassy calling on the American government to close down the facility. Building up on the impetus and the success of the demonstrations held in London, elsewhere in the UK and abroad earlier in January, the LGC is going to be holding a sustained action, on a weekly basis, outside the US Embassy - no detention without trial or charge. The protests will be held on Fridays, 6-7pm, starting 9th February. Please join when you can and bring your banners with you.
WHERE? Outside the US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, Mayfair W1 (nearest tube: Marble Arch/Bond Street). Website