Al Qosi Transfer is Opportunity for Progress at Guantanamo

Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First welcomes the transfer of Ibrahim al Qosi back to his home country of Sudan following the completion of his military commission sentence at Guantanamo.  The organization, which monitored al Qosi’s military commission hearings, notes that the transfer presents an opportunity for the Obama Administration to make further progress on closing the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo. “Eighty-seven men remain at Guantanamo despite having been cleared for transfer by the U.S. government’s interagency taskforce,” said Human Rights First’s Raha Wala.  “The Obama Administration needs to redouble efforts to ensure than these men are transferred as soon as possible.” Many countries, including Kuwait and Tunisia, have indicated willingness to accept Guantanamo detainees if the United States is willing to proceed with transfers. Human Rights First has monitored all military commissions proceedings since 9/11.  Military commissions have been plagued with legal problems, only completing seven terrorism-related cases, including five plea deals.  Civilian federal courts have handled over 400 cases in that same period.