The announcement was unexpected, but nonetheless welcome: Britain has asked the USA to send us back five of the prisoners in Guantánamo Bay who were previously resident in Britain, though not UK nationals. They include Jamil el-Banna, who we had been steadfastly refusing to take back on the surreal grounds that his residence permit had run out while he sunned himself in Cuba. The immorality of this stance was worsened by the revelation that Mr El-Banna's arrest (for which read kidnap and illegal transportation) had been on account of his contacts with suspected terrorist Abu Qatada - contacts which he had made at the request of, and with the full knowledge of British Intelligence!
The other four, Shaker Aamer, Omar Deghayes, Binyam Mohamed and Abdennour Sameur were all from the Middle East or North Africa, and had been granted leave to stay in this country. All five have steadfastly maintained their innocence of any terrorist activity, and have reported being tortured - indeed, given all that we have heard about conditions in Guantánamo, it would be a surprise to discover that any of them had been treated correctly. That the US authorities are now apparently prepared to consider seriously their release lends credence to the pleas of innocence.
Indeed, there is some suspicion that the British request, welcome as it is, arises not so much from a rush of conscience to the head as from pressure from the Americans who want rid of their embarrassing prisoners but could find no country willing to take them. They have been heard to complain about a lack of co-operation from their European allies.
In rejoicing at the impending release of five probably innocent detainees let us not forget that they have suffered a monstrous injustice. Each of them was either kidnapped by US agents or arrested by the police of the country in which they happened to be and handed over without due process of extradition. Each was illegally transported across continents in one or more of the infamous 'extraordinary rendition' flights. Each has been held without charge or trial, in uncomfortable and degrading conditions. Each has suffered at the very least ill-treatment, if not outright torture by their captors. Each is now released (we hope - it hasn't actually happened yet) without apology or compensation. Jamil el-Banna has narrowly avoided being rejected by the country which had earlier given him refuge and where his family still live, and being sent back to Jordan where he could have expected further torture.
Rejoice at an end to a huge injustice, but let us not forget that it took place.
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