Bahraini detainees at Guantanamo Bay: too long gone but not forgotten
The BCHR will be holding a symbolic protest against the continued detention of two Bahraini citizens at Guantanamo Bay this Thursday (May 5th), 5pm at the traffic lights leading into the Seef Mall area.
Bahraini detainees at Guantanamo Bay: too long gone but not forgotten
The BCHR will be holding a symbolic protest against the continued detention of two Bahraini citizens at Guantanamo Bay this Thursday (May 5th), 5pm at the traffic lights leading into the Seef Mall area.
In August last year a local diplomat was quoted in the local press as saying that the remaining three Bahraini detainees at Guantanamo Bay would be released one at a time over the course of a few months. Bahraini detainee Salah Al Balooshi was returned home from Guantanamo without charges in October, but since then there has been no news of the remaining two detainees, Juma Al Dossari and Isa Al Murbati.
“This demonstration will be a small symbolic affair held to remind the authorities of the ‘forgotten’ detainees, and their responsibility towards them.
“While there is no news of their release from officials, they have not been forgotten by their loved ones.
“We still receive calls from Isa Al Murbati’s wife and Juma Al Dossari’s brother asking if their is any news about them and their return.
“We know that at this point the only hope for Juma and Isa’s return is for the Bahraini government to lobby their American allies.
“The demand of our protest is that the Bahraini government work hard to close this sad chapter for the Bahraini families who have been waiting more than five years for their relatives’ return, as they did for the detainees who have been returned already.”
Background:
Isa Al Murbati and Juma Al Dossari have been held without trial at Guantanamo Bay for more than five years without trial. Both of them have young children. Their American lawyers have said that they are in bad physical and mental condition as result of their confinement, and that both are being held in isolation.
Legal proceedings which could allow the detainees to challenge their detention in US courts are currently frozen. Lawyers have said the detainees only hope is diplomatic pressure.
