In a pressing call for justice, UN independent human rights experts demand the immediate release of Abu Zubaydah, a detainee at Guantánamo Bay for nearly two decades without charge. His prolonged detention follows his capture in Pakistan in March 2002, soon after the September 11 attacks. While the US military recently relocated 11 long-term detainees to Oman, only 15 remain, highlighting the diminishing population in this controversial facility, which once housed over 600 inmates.
Abu Zubaydah’s plight is particularly alarming as he has suffered severe health issues, exacerbated by the torture he endured during his time in secret CIA facilities. His case is emblematic of the broader failures of the US government’s handling of detainees, with experts insisting that formal charges have never been made against him. They emphasize that a Presidential pardon and relocation to a safe country are long overdue for him.
The human rights specialists also outlined the grave implications of Zubaydah’s experiences within the unjust detention framework, including significant barriers to communication with his legal representatives. They assert that he deserves not only release but also compensatory measures for the human rights violations inflicted upon him. The call resonates with the need for accountability and adherence to international law in cases of torture and extraordinary rendition.
In a broader context, the experts highlight the ethical responsibility of states involved in human rights violations, urging nations to offer relocation options for Zubaydah. Their concerns extend to 14 other detainees still at Guantánamo, each facing their own legal challenges and human rights concerns. This situation calls for introspection and action from the global community, demanding that human dignity and rights are upheld, even in complex geopolitical scenarios.
Rights experts urge the US to release Abu Zubaydah from Guantánamo Bay, where he has been held for nearly 20 years without charges. They cite his severe health conditions and the inhuman treatment he has endured, advocating for a Presidential pardon and relocation. Concerns also extend to the continued detention of other Guantánamo inmates, highlighting significant human rights violations.
The urgent plea from UN rights experts for Abu Zubaydah’s release not only highlights the individual tragedy of his long-standing detention but also brings to light systemic issues within the US detention practices. Their emphases on legal rights, human dignity, and psychological healing reflect a necessary call-to-action for both national and international governments to uphold fundamental human rights. The situation remains a poignant reminder of the ongoing consequences of policies enacted under the guise of national security.
The situation of Abu Zubaydah is rooted in the post-9/11 era, where the United States implemented aggressive counter-terrorism measures leading to the establishment of Guantánamo Bay as a detention facility. Zubaydah was one of the first individuals captured under these measures and subsequently subjected to extreme interrogation techniques labeled as torture. The prolonged nature of his detention without charge showcases broader human rights issues, including the effectiveness of indefinite detention and the legal frameworks surrounding torture and secret imprisonment.
Original Source: news.un.org
