Teather welcomes Guantanamo detainee release

4.16.03pm GMT Tue 11th Jan 2005

Sarah Teather welcomes the release of the British detainees

Responding to news that the four remaining British citizens are due to return to the UK from Guantanamo Bay, Sarah Teather MP, whose constituent, Martin Mubanga, is one of those due to return, said:

"I welcome the news that the remaining British citizens held in Guantanamo Bay will return home.

"Martin's family are hugely relieved, but still cautious - hardened by the need to steel themselves against false hope for three years. But also because they are unsure how he will be on his return as he has suffered alleged torture and mistreatment.

"But though there is good news for them, the fight is not over yet. A number of British residents continue to be held in Guantanamo Bay, including my constituent Jamil El-Banna, a Jordanian citizen, given refugee status in the UK. The Government say they cannot make representation for these individuals despite the fact that their lives, homes and families are in the UK.

"It is perverse to expect the Government of Jordan to help Jamil given that the UK has accepted that he was fleeing persecution from them.

"I will continue to fight for the Government to accept their moral duty to put pressure on the US Government to release Jamil and others in his position."

Related Link:

Read Sarah's questioning of the Foreign Secretary about the release of the Guantanomo detainees.