On the 8th Anniversary of the Opening of Guantánamo

Eight years ago today, the first detainee was transfered to the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Human Rights First issued this statement, and has launched a campaign to get as many signatures on our petition to close the facility. Human Rights First CEO Elisa Massimino recommends:

The Obama Administration should work closely with Yemeni officials to
address current security concerns and to minimize potential risk before
reinstating transfers there. With all transfers the administration can and
should take steps to mitigate risk by focusing on expanding risk assessment
efforts, monitoring, and other security programs, including allotting sufficient
resources to successfully reintegrate former detainees into society.

To fully restore the rule of law and rebuild strained relationships with foreign
allies, the Administration must also commit to driving the number of detainees
held without charge down to zero and to pursuing timely federal criminal
prosecutions of those alleged terrorists who remain at Guantánamo.

You can help make sure the facility gets closed: sign our petition and send us a picture. We’ll put you in our video!

Learn more: get the facts on Guantánamo.