Why close Guantánamo?

US Army private watches from the outer perimeter as detainees in orange jumpsuits sit in a holding area. © US DoD

The U.S. detention centre at Guantánamo Bay is an open attack on human rights. Torture. No fair trials. People locked up for years without being charged with any crime.

The U.S. government says Guantánamo is about “fighting terrorism” and “protecting security.” In fact:

• Guantánamo is part of a system that openly breaks international law.
  
  
• Guantánamo tells the world it’s okay to abuse human rights.
  
  
• Guantánamo and everything it stands for treat human dignity, safety and freedom with contempt.
  
  
• Guantánamo makes the world less secure by fueling more anger and more violence.

The U.S. has detained people at Guantánamo for five years – since January 11, 2002. Today Guantánamo holds more than 400 detainees. The U.S. calls them the “worst of the worst” and treats them as if they are guilty – even though not one of the prisoners has been convicted of a crime, let alone fairly charged or tried.

We say to the U.S. government

• Respect human rights.
  
  
• Give detainees fair trials or freedom.
  
  
• Stop torture.
  
  
• Don’t send detainees to countries where they are at risk of further abuse.
  
  
• Close Guantánamo.

When governments attack human rights – regardless of the excuses they use – it’s time for concerned people to speak up.

To speak out to "Close Guantánamo" now, click here

To join our public Days of Action to Close Guantánamo, click here

Canada needs to speak out

Many human rights leaders and governments have said what’s happening at Guantánamo is wrong. Where does the Canadian government stand?

It’s been silent. And it’s done little to protect the rights of Canadian citizen Omar Khadr, the only minor to face the “military commissions,” which fall far short of a fair trial.

We say to the Canadian government: Demonstrate leadership on human rights. Press the U.S. government to Close Guantánamo. To send this message to the Canadian Prime Minister, click here

To find out more about human rights violations and Guantánamo, click here

4 December 2006