From Amnesty International USA (http://www.amnestyusa.org):
From a Guantanamo survivor:
I’m a survivor of cruel and inhumane treatment.
I was held behind bars at the Guantánamo Bay detention center for fourteen years, tortured, and never even charged with a crime.
I was finally released in 2016, thanks to the activism of Amnesty International members and others who campaigned tirelessly for my freedom.
But I’m just one person, and I was lucky to be freed: today, Guantánamo remains open, imprisoning 35 Muslim men indefinitely. Most have also never been charged with a crime nor given a fair trial.
President Biden must end these grave human rights violations by transferring out the men who have been cleared for release, and closing Guantánamo once and for all.
You can help make this the year Guantánamo is finally closed: write to President Biden to urge him to prioritize closing Guantánamo now at https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/96987/action/1.
During my first few years detained, I was subjected to torture and mistreatment that most people couldn’t even imagine: extreme isolation, sleep deprivation, frigid rooms, beatings, humiliation, and threats made against me and my family. I was even blindfolded and taken out to sea in a boat for a mock execution.
A military prosecutor acknowledged that there was no reliable evidence to charge me with any crimes… and a federal judge ordered my release. But the U.S. government appealed and continued to hold me without charge or trial for years.
While I was languishing behind bars, my mother passed away, not knowing whether I would ever be set free. Now that I am free, I still face the stigma of being a former detainee. But Amnesty helped me get a passport and I was finally able to travel to pursue my writing career in Europe, to get medical treatment, and to meet with people worldwide who are working to close Guantánamo.
I am so thankful for my freedom — but my story is not unlike others who remain imprisoned at Guantánamo to this day.
President Biden has made important changes on human rights already, but he hasn’t done enough when it comes to Guantánamo. He needs to take swift and decisive action to show us that he is committed to closing the prison during his term.
That’s where we come in — where we speak up and join Amnesty International’s all-important campaign. Take Amnesty’s email action to tell President Biden to finally close this horrific prison.
During my time behind bars, I knew that there were many people fighting for my freedom. I am so grateful for all the people who spoke out for me when I didn’t have a voice.
When we speak up for human rights, we can make a huge difference. We can secure human rights for all.
Mohamedou Ould Salahi
P.S. To learn more about Guantanamo and my experience there, please read my book, Guantanamo Diary.
Leave a Reply