United States: Two Malaysian men, held at the United States military prison in Guantanamo Bay for 18 years, have been returned to Malaysia. Malaysia’s Inspector General of Police, Razarudin Husain, confirmed that Mohammed Farik bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep arrived in the country, “in good and healthy condition” and were joyfully reunited with their families.
The two men had pleaded guilty to charges related to the 2002 Bali bombing, which killed over 200 people. Following their return, they will experience a “comprehensive rehabilitation” process and an assessment before reintegration into society. Husain remarked that, “Everyone deserves a second chance.”
The Pentagon, in its statement of the transfer, stated that the detainees had been cooperative and provided valuable testimony against Encep Nurjaman, known as Hambali, who is charged with being the ringleader of the Bali bombing. Hambali remains in custody at Guantanamo Bay awaiting his pre-trial hearings, which are set to resume in January.
This transfer pursues the earlier repatriation of a Kenyan man, Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu, who had been imprisoned at Guantanamo without charge for 17 years. Bajabu was released to Kenya, leaving 15 other detainees at Guantanamo, who have been cleared of any wrongdoing yet remain behind bars.
Amnesty International welcomed the release of the Malaysian and Kenyan detainees but called for more action, highlighting that 15 men remain at Guantanamo, many of whom have been cleared for release for over a decade. Amnesty’s Daphne Eviatar stated that, “President Biden must transfer these men before he leaves office,” urging the U.S. government to end indefinite detention without charge or trial.
Following these recent releases, 27 detainees remain at Guantanamo, a significant drop from the peak of nearly 800 detainees after the U.S. established the prison following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Amnesty International continues to highlight Guantanamo Bay as a “glaring, longstanding stain” on the human rights record of the United States.
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