The United States has released 11 Yemeni detainees from the controversial naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where they were held without charge for more than two decades.
The Pentagon said late Monday that 11 people had been transferred to Oman, as the Biden administration pushes to empty the facility of unconvicted prisoners in its final weeks.
“The United States appreciates the willingness of the Government of Oman and other partners to support ongoing U.S. efforts focused on responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility,” the Defense Department said in a statement. “
According to the US-based Center for Constitutional Rights, those released in the latest transfer included Shakawi al-Haj, who had led several hunger strikes in protest of his 21-year prison sentence without charge, before he was sentenced to two years in detention. And he was also tortured. ,
The announcement came a week after the US said it had returned another detainee to Tunisia, bringing the total number of prisoners held at Guantanamo to 15.
detention for more than 20 years
The Guantanamo Bay facility was established during the tenure of former President George Bush to house prisoners captured by the US during the “War on Terror” in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
At its peak, the notorious detention center reportedly held about 700 mostly Muslim men in brutal conditions, according to rights groups.
Outgoing President Joe Biden promised to try to close Guantanamo before his election in 2020, but just weeks into his term it remains open.
Successive administrations have also tried and failed to eventually close the facility, often citing difficulties in finding suitable countries willing to send detainees back.
remaining prisoners of guantanamo
Many of those held at Guantanamo are from Yemen, a country dominated by the Iran-allied Houthi militant group after decades of war.
Of the remaining 15 detainees, seven have been charged with war crimes, including involvement in the 9/11 attacks, and two have been convicted and sentenced.
But six have still not been charged with any crimes and are eligible for transfer pending review.
MF/ZC (AP, AFP, Reuters)