Guantanamo Transfers Praised

Washington, D.C. – Following a U.S. Department of Defense announcement that it will transfer two Uighur detainees from the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of El Salvador, Human Rights First’s Dixon Osburn issued the following statement: “We applaud the United States for transferring two Uighur detainees from Guantanamo who have long been cleared for release. These two men are perfect examples of unfortunate persons who were in the wrong place at the wrong time and got caught up in the nightmare of Guantanamo. We encourage the administration to move quickly and thoughtfully in transferring others at Guantanamo who the administration has cleared for release. It is time to start closing this dark chapter of history.” The detainees transferred today were subject to release from Guantanamo as a result of a court order issued on October 7, 2008 by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and are voluntarily resettling in El Salvador.