We should take in exonerated detainees

EVER since the 9/11 attacks on the USA hundreds of people have been unlawfully detained in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba in conditions that have amounted to cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment.

US officials have admitted their forces has used torture and other forms of ill-treatment in the name of countering terrorism. This is an offence against the Geneva conventions.

Guantanamo is not only a shame for the US, but for the whole western world. We in Europe have failed to protest against these human rights violations. We have failed to point the finger at the Bush administration and demand the closure of Guantanamo, an end to torture and so-called rendition.

The promised review and closure of Guantanamo by Barack Obama will result in 50 or more exonerated detainees who, because of fear of torture and ill-treatment on returning to their own countries, are Being left in no-man’s land.

Amnesty International Ireland has called on the Government here to take in one or more of the Guantanamo detainees.

To date the Government has made clear it is not contemplating the relocation of any detainees to Ireland.

We demand that the Government change its mind on this issue.

Denis Quinlan

on behalf of

Schull Amnesty Group

c/o Courtyard Crafts

Main Street

Schull

Co Cork