05/08/2007
Cageprisoners
Press Release
05-08-07
Cageprisoners has learned that the U.S. military is intending to forcibly repatriate four prisoners from Guantánamo Bay to Algeria on Monday, August 6, 2007. Amongst these prisoners is Ahmed Belbacha, a former British resident of Algerian origin, who was cleared for release by the U.S in February 2007 after having been deemed to ‘pose no threat’ to the USA.
Mr. Belbacha previously lived in the city of Bournemouth, England, where he sought asylum from persecution in Algeria, by both the government and the extreme elements in opposition to the regime. The probability of his persecution has only been enhanced by false accusations and assumptions against him coupled with the stigma that accompanies most Guantánamo returnees’ re-entry into society.
A U.S. federal judge indicated that she would likely have granted an order barring his refoulement (illegal return) to Algeria, based on evidence presented by his lawyers. However, under the Military Commissions Act promoted by the Bush Administration the judge felt she was powerless to prevent his forcible return to face torture. Diplomatic assurances from the Algerian government are highly unreliable given its past record of flagrant human rights violations. Mr. Belbacha has already suffered heavily at the hands of the United States military for over five years – without charge or trial –, and only intervention by the Supreme Court can prevent him being forwarded for the next chapter of abuse in Algeria. If returned to Algeria, he faces either being jailed and tortured by the Algerian government or being released and facing threats to his life from militants. Either way Mr. Belbacha’s life will be in grave danger.
URGENT ACTION REQUIRED
Time is running out for Ahmed Belbacha: write to the American authorities and tell them not to return Ahmed to Algeria. Write to the American Secretary of State and the American Secretary of Defence, as well as the American ambassador in London. Write to them to ensure that they act now.
At the earliest possible moment, please contact the State Department (U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520 -- 202-647-4000) and the Department of Defense (http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/comment.aspx) to protest this action and demand compliance with the Convention Against Torture and the Refugee Convention.
Please send your letters immediately to:
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State,
Department of State,
2201 C Street, N.W., Washington DC 20520, USA
Fax: +1 202 261 8577
E-mail: Secretary@state.gov.
Salutation: Dear Secretary of State
The Honorable Robert Gates,
Secretary of Defense,
1000 Defense Pentagon,
Washington DC 20301, USA
Fax: +1 703 697 8339
Salutation: Dear Secretary of Defense
His Excellency Mr Robert Tuttle,
Embassy of the United States,
24 Grosvenor Square,
London W1A 1AE.
Website: http://www.usembassy.org.uk
(marked for the attention of the Ambassador)
Also write to the British Home and Foreign Secretaries to demand that they allow Ahmed Belbacha to return to the UK, which is a viable alternative for him.
Please state that:
- Ahmed Belbacha lived in the UK peacefully for 2 ½ years.
- He has been cleared for release by the Americans and there are no charges against him. He is not deemed to pose a threat.
- The British government can take action to help a resident. A precedent lies in the return of Bisher Al-Rawi in March 2007.
- Ahmed Belbacha faces imminent danger to his life if returned to Algeria.
Please send your letters immediately to:
Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith MP
Home Secretary
The Home Office,
50 Queen Anne’s Gate,
London, SW1 9AT
Fax: 020 7219 4815
Email: smithjj@parliament.uk
Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP
Foreign Secretary,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
King Charles St,
London SW1A 2AH
Cage Prisoners is a human rights organisation that exists to raise awareness of the plight of the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and other detainees held as part of the War on Terror. We aim to give a voice to the voiceless.
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