Mohammed Odaini cleared for release from Guantánamo

From age 18 to 26, Mohammed Mohammed Hassan Odaini has been detained at Guantánamo without charge or trial. But about a week ago, the Obama administration finally said that it would release him back to his home country of Yemen!

For years, Amnesty International supporters have taken action for Odaini – writing countless letters and emails, holding vigils and demonstrations, organizing film screenings, meeting with elected officials and gathering petition signatures.

In fact, this past year, more than 12,000 people joined the Global Write-a-thon to write letters on behalf of Odaini and other individuals at risk of severe human rights violations. In addition, Amnesty International USA Local Group 50 in Chicago, Local Group 139 in Wisconsin and Local Group 708 in Massachusetts adopted Odaini’s case. Together, our voices made all the difference. And now, Mohammed Odaini is going home.

But as compelling as Odaini’s case is, it is unfortunately not unique. Around 50% of those who remain in Guantánamo are from Yemen.

But because transfers of detainees from Guantánamo to Yemen have been suspended by the Obama administration, citing U.S. security concerns, many others continue to be caught in the same limbo that trapped Mohammed Odaini for so long.

One of those still detained at Guantánamo is Saeed Mohammed Saleh Hatim. He, too, has been held without charge in Guantánamo for eight years, and is still there more than six months after a U.S. federal judge ruled his detention unlawful and ordered his release.

But the U.S. government has appealed the order, thereby keeping Saeed Hatim in his indefinite detention. Most of the allegations against him rely entirely upon the words of his own admissions. Admissions which he says he only made because he had earlier been tortured in U.S. custody.

With the impending release of Mohammed Odaini, a small window of opportunity for ensuring justice to those detained at Guantánamo has been opened. The Obama administration must be reminded that ending the Guantánamo detentions is long overdue, and that they must be resolved in a manner consistent with international human rights principles. Detainees must be given fair trials in independent and impartial courts, or else be released immediately.

Take action today to demand for the release of Saeed Hatim and return him back to his home in Yemen.