Comment by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on plan to close Guantanamo

GENEVA (23 February 2016) – “I very much welcome this plan, and hope no further obstacles are placed in the way of its implementation. The Guantanamo regime, with all that it entailed, has been a serious blot on the human rights record, and reputation, of the United States for the past 14 years, and has been cited by many repressive Governments as justification for their own actions. It is vital that the implementation of the plan results in no one remaining in indefinite detention without charge or trial.”  

“All Guantanamo detainees should either be transferred to regular detention centres in the US mainland or other countries where fair trials before civilian courts and due process guarantees can be provided in accordance with international norms and standards. If there is insufficient evidence to charge them with any crime, they must be released to their home country, or to a third country if they risk persecution at home.”

ENDS

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