CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

International Campaign to Close U.S. Prison at Guantánamo

LONDON, December 21, 2006.- An international campaign calling on the U.S. to close its infamous prison at Guantánamo is underway. According to reports from the British capital, protests across the world have begun with the aim of shutting down the U.S.-run detention center at Guantánamo -- located in eastern Cuba and illegally occupied by the United States.

Human rights activists and others concerned with the abuse and tortue of prisoners under U.S. control have planned a series of events and protests to call attention to the situation at the U.S. naval base prison.

Among the groups representing some of the detainees at the prison is the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights, the CCR. Amnesty International, based in London, has also called on numerous occasions for the closing of Guantánamo.

In January 2002, U.S. authorities transferred the first so-called "war on terror" detainees -- hooded and shackled -- to the U.S. Naval Base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

Organizers say that despite a major international outcry and the condemnation of many experts and intellectuals, hundreds of people from more than 30 countries continue to be held there. The majority of those detainees have been held without charge for nearly five years. And they have little or no hope of obtaining a fair trial.

Although U.S. authorities have repeatedly called the prisoners "terrorists" and "killers," some have been released without being charged with any crime. Investigators and detainees have reported abuse and torture, with prisoners suffering inhumane conditions.

Human rights groups are encouraging activists around the world to organize activities to protest the upcoming fifth anniversary of the detention center -- and calling for its immediate closure. (Cubaminrex-RHC)

 

 

 

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