CCR attorneys visit several men at Guantánamo

CCR attorneys visit several men at Guantánamo

"Wonderful." That was the only word Tariq Ba Odah could say, repeatedly, as he looked through photos of vigils and protests, tweets and Facebook posts, and dozens of articles about efforts to free him.  Detained at Guantánamo for 13 years, Tariq has been on a hunger strike since 2007 and now weighs just 75 lbs.  When CCR Attorney Omar Farah visited him last week, he had to break the news that the Obama administration has (secretly, filing its documents under seal) opposed CCR’s motion to release Tariq on medical grounds.  The extensive press coverage – from the New York Times, to PBS Newshour,  to the Guardian – has highlighted this cruel and senseless move.  While at the base, Omar also met with Fahd Gazy and Mohammed Al Hamiri.
Meanwhile, CCR Senior Managing Attorney Shayana Kadidal was also in Guantánamo, urging a Periodic Review Board to clear Mohammed Kamin for release.  We are hopeful he will be cleared.  But then again, Fahd Gazy, Mohammed Al Hamiri, and Tariq Ba Odah have all been cleared for release for years, and yet they languish in Guantánamo. After presiding over Guantánamo for seven years, President Obama bears responsibility for this tragic state of affairs. Remember that as he prepares to submit his plan to close Guantánamo to congress.  Closing Guantánamo will be impossible if the president is not committed to actually releasing our clients and their fellow prisoners.