UN visits Guantanamo: shameful
Aolain shared the report he produced following the technical visit to the Guantánamo prison in Cuba, where the United States detained hundreds of people in the Middle East on terrorism charges following the 9/11 attacks, with journalists in the building of the UN in New York.
Noting that Guantánamo was accessed for the first time despite previous requests, Aolain thanked the current US administration for its cooperation.
“EVERYONE SAID WE ARRIVED TOO LATE”
Aolain said he met with those who were still detained at Guantanamo, as well as those who were released: “Everyone said it was too late.” saying.
Noting that there have been some improvements in conditions at Guantánamo, Aolain said: “However, I am deeply concerned that there are still 30 detainees in the prison. The prisoners in question fight every day against arbitrariness. Although there are very serious structural deficiencies, arbitrariness prevails in education, health, meeting with families and access to justice”. he said.
Underlining that this circumstance creates suffering and insecurity, Aolain said: “I have seen that the suffering of people who have been imprisoned for almost 20 years is very deep. I saw the brutal effects of systematic torture and arbitrary arrest on the lives of every prisoner I interviewed.” he used the phrases.
Stating that the detainees’ past experiences of torture still live with them today, Aolain stated that they could not receive any treatment in this regard.
“The practices at Guantánamo have had a profound impact on the dignity, fundamental rights and freedoms of detainees and constitute cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in the context of international law,” Aloain said. he performed the assessment of it.
Noting that the US must lead by example, Aloain said: “US. The US must punish those responsible for violations of international law for those detained, released, and all victims of terrorism in Guantanamo Bay. I would like to underline the importance of the apology here, but it is also necessary to provide redress and guarantees that the violations in question will not happen again.” he said.
“A PLACE OF SHAME”
Aloain called for the closure of the Guantanamo prison, noting that there are some political challenges associated with it, adding that “Guantanamo is a shameful place, both individually and collectively.” saying.
Pointing out that torture is prohibited under international law, Aloain said: “There are issues for which the US government should be held accountable.” saying.
Noting that it is also important to physically preserve evidence of torture, Aloain said: “The violation of human rights does not make any country safer. Continued violations, including torture, encourage more violence in the opposite direction.” he used the phrases.
GUANTANAMO PRISON
The United States withdrew its military forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, but still uses Cuba’s military prison at Guantanamo Bay to hold terror suspects captured in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
It is claimed that at Guantanamo, which opened its doors 21 years ago and has detained some 780 people to date, most of these people are being held here without charge or trial.
There are currently 30 detainees at Guantanamo. (AA)