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For Immediate Release
Contact: press@ccrjustice.org

Gitmo Lawyers Respond to Transfers

In response to the announcement today that the United States has transferred two men from the prison at Guantanamo Bay to Algeria, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) issued the following statement:

NEW YORK

In response to the announcement today that the United States has transferred two men from the prison at Guantanamo Bay to Algeria, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) issued the following statement:

We welcome the resumption of voluntary transfers from Guantanamo. This is an important step towards closing the prison, and demonstrates that the president indeed has the authority to continue transferring prisoners. Such steps must continue until this shameful chapter in our nation's history has ended once and for all. Meanwhile, Algeria must treat the two men who have been transferred there humanely, and the United States should not forcibly repatriate anyone who fears persecution, including CCR's client Djamel Ameziane.

CCR has led the legal battle over Guantanamo for the last 10 years - representing clients in two Supreme Court cases and organizing and coordinating hundreds of pro bono lawyers across the country to represent the men at Guantanamo, ensuring that nearly all have the option of legal representation. Among other Guantanamo cases, the Center represents the families of men who died at Guantanamo, and men who have been released and are seeking justice in international courts. In addition, CCR has been working through diplomatic channels to resettle men who remain at Guantanamo because they cannot return to their country of origin for fear of persecution and torture.

The Center for Constitutional Rights is dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. CCR is committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.

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