VALENTINE’S DAY IS FREE SHAKER DAY

Shaker was one of the first detainees sent to the Guantánamo Bay detention centre. But after 13 years he’s never been charged, tried or convicted of any crime. US authorities have cleared him for transfer, the UK has called for his return, and yet he remains behind bars. – Amnesty International UK

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Today, at noon UK time, a demonstration is going to be held in London to protest the 13-year detention without trial of a British citizen. He is being detained at the US detention centre in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, together with more than 100 other detainees.

Malaysia used to have about 50-60 detainees in the Kamunting Detention Centre before the Internal Security Act was repealed. And Malaysia abolished this detention without trial law due to pressure both at home as well as from the West.

Malaysia is said to be a country that uses draconian laws against its own citizens and a country that practices selective prosecution and persecution. But Malaysia does not invade other countries and detain foreign citizens without trial for 13 years like the United States does.

The United States is very quick to condemn countries like Malaysia and point out that it is wrong to put people like Anwar Ibrahim on trial for a crime that most other countries no longer regard as a crime.

The issue that the United States raises is not whether Anwar did or did not commit the crime. It is that such an act should no longer be considered a crime in this modern day and age where same-gender relationships should be legalised.

But Malaysia does not beat up and seriously injure Indian citizens just because he or she does not speak English (READ HERE).

And Malaysia does not ask that in the spirit of freedom of expression caricatures of Prophet Muhammad be allowed while caricatures of a German Minister should be condemned (READ HERE).

Is this the same America and the same West that is telling Malaysia what it should and should not do?

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Save Shaker Aamer Campaign March and DEMO at PARLIAMENT SQUARE and DOWNING STREET

14th February 2015

Assemble 12 noon – Parliament Square (opposite House of Commons)

March to Downing Street – protest, speeches and deputation (ending at 2.00 pm)

Speakers confirmed: Victoria Brittain author/journalist, Lindsey German STWC, Bruce Kent CND, Yvonne Ridley broadcaster, Joy Hurcombe Chair SSAC, and spokesperson from LGC, plus Members of Parliament and many others invited Reprieve, Amnesty, We Stand With Shaker, etc.

The Lewes Amnesty group have joined together with the Brighton and Hove Amnesty group and the Sussex University Amnesty group to organise a coach to take those calling for Shaker Aamer’s immediate release to the Free Shaker Aamer demonstration.

We would be delighted if other local Amnesty Groups from other parts of the country are able to plan to join us at the demonstration.

It is a completely unacceptable and inhumane that Shaker Aamer has now been detained in Guantánamo for over 13 years. In 2002, Shaker Aamer was sent to the notorious US detention centre in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. He was one of the first to arrive – and now he’s the last UK resident to remain there. During the 13 years he’s been incarcerated, Shaker says that he’s been brutally tortured and has spent much of the time in solitary confinement. But Shaker has never been charged, tried or convicted with any crime.

In 2005 (after three years of detention) Shaker Aamer wrote ‘I am dying here every day, mentally and physically… We have been ignored, locked up in the middle of the ocean…’ What must he be thinking now after 13 years! No doubt he is aware that the UK government has been requesting that the US release and return him to the UK. Maybe he is aware that Obama keeps saying he will close Guantanamo. How can he not feel ignored when day after day he remains uncharged and untried in Guantanamo, separated year after year from his family? Reprieve director Cori Crider has said: “Shaker and his wife and four children in the UK have had enough of the tired old mantra from British officials that they have ‘raised the case’ with their US counterparts.

Please join us on 14th February and show your support for Shaker Aamer.

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In 2002, Shaker Aamer was sent to the notorious US detention centre in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

He was one of the first to arrive – and now he’s the last UK resident to remain there.

During the 13 years he’s been incarcerated, Shaker says that he’s been brutally tortured and has spent much of the time in solitary confinement.

But Shaker has never been charged, tried or convicted with any crime.

We must get him home now.

13 years of legal limbo

Shaker was born in Saudi Arabia and moved to the UK in 1996, where he married a British woman. They have four British children.

He was originally detained by Afghan forces in 2001 in Afghanistan, where he was living with his family. Shaker has always maintained that he was in Afghanistan working for a Saudi charity.

In February 2002, he was transferred to Guantánamo Bay.

Five years later, Shaker was cleared for transfer, which demonstrates that the US has no intention of bringing him to trial.

Despite the US authorities approving his transfer and public statements by the UK government – as recently as January 2015 – calling for him to be returned home, Shaker is still detained without charge, apparently indefinitely.

Following David Cameron’s visit to the White House on 16 January 2015, Barack Obama has promised to prioritise Shaker’s release.

Now, both the UK and US authorities must stick to their promises and get Shaker home to the UK immediately.

Defiant against detention

Guantánamo Bay is renowned for its abusive conditions. While detained Shaker has protested against his situation, including by participating in hunger strikes.

Shaker’s lawyers have also confirmed that while he remains defiant, his physical and mental health continue to deteriorate.

In April 2014, he was examined by an independent doctor and diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. He is also said to be riddled with arthritis, ring worm, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, extreme kidney pain and other medical problems – which he’s not receiving adequate medical treatment for.

Other detainees returned home

Two days after taking office in 2009, President Obama pledged to close Guantánamo within a year.

Six years on and it remains open – progress on closing the camp has been repeatedly stalled.

However, in December 2014 the pace of releasing detainees has picked up. Six detainees were released and transferred to Uruguay as refugees and five were transferred to Kazakhstan.

Yet Shaker is one of more than 100 detainees still languishing in the notorious camp.

Let’s keep up the pressure

We’re calling on the UK prime minister, David Cameron, and US President, Barack Obama, to return Shaker to the UK immediately, unless he is to be charged and brought to fair trial.