100,000 petition for Guantanamo man

Shaker Aamer pictured with two of his children, daughter Johninh and son Michae
15 April 2013

An online petition calling for the release of a British detainee at Guantanamo Bay has reached more than 100,000 signatures - putting it up for consideration for debate by MPs.

Shaker Aamer, 44, was taken to the notorious US detention centre on February 14 2002 - 11 years ago - under suspicion of recruiting and financing terror group al Qaida.

Aamer has never been charged or tried with an offence and remains detained despite the US authorities officially approving him for transfer in 2009.

Launched by Aamer's father-in law Saeed Siddiqui, the petition calls on the Government to "achieve the immediate transfer of Shaker Aamer to the UK from continuing indefinite detention in Guantanamo Bay".

As the petition has received more than 100,000 signatures, the Leader of the House of Commons Andrew Lansley has passed it to the Backbench Business Committee to consider for debate. The committee is meeting on Tuesday.

Jane Ellison, MP for Battersea, who represents Aamer's family and is also a member of the Backbench Business Committee, plans to address its hearing tomorrow.

She said: "I will be seeking to lead a debate on Mr Aamer's case in Parliament to encourage the UK Government to continue to press the US to return Mr Aamer to his family in the UK as soon as possible."

Through his lawyers, Aamer has alleged he was subjected to torture, including severe beatings and other ill-treatment, while held in secret US detention in Afghanistan and at Guantanamo. He is one of 166 detainees still held at Guantanamo - out of 779 men taken to the facility in the last 11 years. The majority have been held for years without charge or criminal trial.

Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said: "Let's hope the petition can generate fresh political momentum to secure either Shaker's release or a proper trial.

"Shaker's continued detention is totally baffling and we desperately need to break the logjam in his case. He faces no charges, was officially approved for transfer out of Guantanamo years ago and the UK has said it will accept him back - so just what is the hold-up?"

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