There are still 14 uncharged prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. Experts Call for Release of Guantanamo Detainee Abu Zubaydah Human Rights
UN experts have called on the US to immediately release Zein al-Abidin Muhammad Hussein (known as Abu Zubaydah), who has been held without charge at Guantanamo Bay for nearly 20 years.
Abu Zubaydah, who was suspected of having links to Islamic terrorists, was detained in Faisalabad, Pakistan, in March 2002, after which he was handed over to the CIA and held in several secret prisons in various countries. Human rights activists have evidence that he was tortured. Since 2006, Abu Zubaydah has been held at Guantanamo Bay without formal charges.
“We are exceptionally seeking a presidential pardon for Mr. Abu Zubaydah given the circumstances of his treatment in detention and the lack of due process since his detention,” the experts said. “His immediate release and transfer to a safe third country is long overdue.”
“Mr. Abu Zubaydah suffers from serious health problems, including injuries sustained during torture, which are reportedly aggravated by a lack of adequate medical care. In addition, his communication with his lawyers was seriously hampered,” the experts added.
Abu Zubaydah’s case has been examined by various international and regional human rights mechanisms, which have unanimously found that he was subjected to numerous human rights violations under the secret detention program carried out by the United States.
“We also insist that Mr. Abu Zubaydah be entitled to compensation and other measures of reparation in accordance with international law,” the experts said.
They recalled that the prisoner suffered profound psychological trauma as a result of the torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and enforced disappearance that Abu Zubaydah endured.
“We recall the principle shared responsibility, which applies to states when more than one country has been involved in a human rights violation,” the experts noted. “Accordingly, we call on states to actively offer their territory for the prompt transfer of Mr. Abu Zubaydah.”
The experts had previously expressed concern about the continued detention of the remaining 14 detainees at various stages of trial at Guantanamo.