Activists wearing orange jumpsuits and black hoods will hold up placards
in Trafalgar Square, outside the National Gallery, to mark the 12th
anniversary of the opening of the Guantánamo Bay prison camp, and
demand its closure.
The London Guantánamo Campaign [1] will host the
demonstration, and speakers will include Jeremy Corbyn MP, Sarah Ludford MEP and Louise
Christian, solicitor for former Guantánamo prisoners [2].
Aisha Maniar, a spokesperson for the London Guantánamo Campaign,
says, "Twelve years on, the prison at Guantánamo Bay remains a stain on
the current global landscape. It is unfortunate that it has taken a near-fatal
hunger strike by prisoners to remind the world, and Barack Obama, of his
promise to close the facility. While
a step in the right direction, recently renewed efforts by the US
administration to reduce the number of prisoners and close the facility remain half-hearted.
“Where there is no risk to their safety, President
Obama must ensure that prisoners cleared for release are
repatriated immediately. In addition, periodic reviews of prisoners must
be accelerated to ensure any further releases. Other states must step
up their efforts by demanding the
repatriation of their nationals and residents.
“The British government can lead the way by using this anniversary to renew its demands
for the return of hunger-striking British resident Shaker Aamer to his family
in London. The time to act is now. There must be no more anniversaries.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The London Guantánamo Campaign was set up in 2006 and campaigns for
justice for all prisoners at Guantánamo Bay, for the closure of this and other
secret prisons, and an end to the practice of extraordinary rendition. http://
2. More details and list of speakers available on the London Guantánamo
Campaign website: http://
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