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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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4 January 2005

Press Release: Guantanamo Concentration Camps to be made permanent

IHRC is horrified to learn of US plans to convert the detention camps on Guantanamo Bay into permanent jails. Currently, over 500 Muslims are being detained without charge on Guantanamo Bay. The US government now intends to permanently imprison the detainees as it possesses no evidence to charge them in court or even a military tribunal.

The new US plans also involve the transfer of Afghani, Saudi and Yemeni detainees to their home countries for incarceration in purpose-built jails to be financed and constructed by the US. IHRC views these proposals as symbolic of the depth to which the US and the international community have fallen in their respect for human rights.

IHRC Chairman, Massoud Shadjareh stated:

“This is an extremely disturbing development. Despite serious efforts by the government to conceal it, more and more tales of torture and abuse are filtering out of Guantanamo every week. Now in front of the whole world the US is on the verge of creating permanent concentration camps where this torture can be committed perpetually in complete silence.”

For more information please contact, info@ihrc.org.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org
info@ihrc.org