The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Donald Campbell: Donald [DOT] Campbell [AT] reprieve [DOT] org [DOT] uk

Pressure Increases on Prime Minister to Raise Guantanamo Brit Case at Obama Meeting

David Cameron is being urged to raise the case of the last remaining British man in Guantanamo, when he travels to the USA to meet with President Obama in January.

Shaker Aamer, from South London, has been cleared for release from the prison since 2007 and has never been charged with a crime or faced a trial. The British government has repeatedly stated it wants Mr Aamer returned to his wife and four children - the youngest of whom he has never met - in the UK. Yet Mr Aamer remains detained at Guantanamo Bay.

LONDON

David Cameron is being urged to raise the case of the last remaining British man in Guantanamo, when he travels to the USA to meet with President Obama in January.

Shaker Aamer, from South London, has been cleared for release from the prison since 2007 and has never been charged with a crime or faced a trial. The British government has repeatedly stated it wants Mr Aamer returned to his wife and four children - the youngest of whom he has never met - in the UK. Yet Mr Aamer remains detained at Guantanamo Bay.

Prime Minister David Cameron is reportedly travelling to the US in January to meet President Obama and is being urged by legal charity Reprieve - which represents Mr Aamer - to raise his case.

Kat Craig, legal director at Reprieve said: "For nearly 13 years, Shaker Aamer has been held without charge or trial in Guantanamo Bay. He continues to be held despite having been cleared for release by the US Government itself. News that the Prime Minister is going to be meeting with President Obama, who has said he wants to transfer all cleared men out of the prison, therefore presents a crucial opportunity for David Cameron. For years, the British Government has stated its commitment to securing Shaker's return to the UK - now is the time for the Prime Minister to act decisively to bring him home and reunite him with his family."

Reprieve is a UK-based human rights organization that uses the law to enforce the human rights of prisoners, from death row to Guantanamo Bay.