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Vigil for detainees at Guantanamo Vigil for detainees at Guantanamo
(about 22 hours later)
A candlelit vigil is to take place for UK residents held at the US detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, on the eve of the fifth anniversary of its opening.A candlelit vigil is to take place for UK residents held at the US detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, on the eve of the fifth anniversary of its opening.
Relatives and friends of detainees will gather outside Downing Street to try to put pressure on the government to secure the men's return home.Relatives and friends of detainees will gather outside Downing Street to try to put pressure on the government to secure the men's return home.
Organiser and Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather said it was "outrageous" that the government was not doing more.Organiser and Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather said it was "outrageous" that the government was not doing more.
The government said it was not obliged to try to bring home foreign nationals.The government said it was not obliged to try to bring home foreign nationals.
'Long-term disabilities''Long-term disabilities'
Currently there are eight British residents with leave to return being held at the camp in Cuba, which has come under repeated criticism from human rights groups. Currently there are eight British residents with leave to return being held at the camp in Cuba, which has come under fire from human rights groups.
Among them are Iraqi businessman Bisher al-Rawi and his friend, Jordanian Jamil el-Banna, who both lived in London before they were detained.Among them are Iraqi businessman Bisher al-Rawi and his friend, Jordanian Jamil el-Banna, who both lived in London before they were detained.
They have been held in Guantanamo Bay since 2003 on suspicion of having links to terrorism. They have been held without trial in Guantanamo Bay since 2003 on suspicion of having links to terrorism.
He very much wants to be with his family and has always maintained his innocence Zachary Katznelson, lawyer He very much wants to be with his family and has always maintained his innocence Zachary Katznelson, Detainees' lawyer
But concerns are growing that they may suffer long-term disabilities as a result of their detention.
Their lawyer, Zachary Katznelson, visited them in November 2006.Their lawyer, Zachary Katznelson, visited them in November 2006.
He told BBC News that Mr el-Banna was not receiving an appropriate diet for diabetes, which was causing extreme leg pains and a deterioration in his eyesight.He told BBC News that Mr el-Banna was not receiving an appropriate diet for diabetes, which was causing extreme leg pains and a deterioration in his eyesight.
"He is incredibly frustrated that he has been held for so long," he said.
"He very much wants to be with his family and has always maintained his innocence.""He very much wants to be with his family and has always maintained his innocence."
Mr el-Banna has five British children, the youngest of whom he has never met.Mr el-Banna has five British children, the youngest of whom he has never met.
Mr el-Banna has never met his youngest childMr el-Banna has never met his youngest child
Mr al-Rawi, who had lived in the UK since 1985, has been held in isolation since March last year for refusing to co-operate with interrogators. Mr al-Rawi has been in isolation since March last year and is having a mental breakdown, says Mr Katznelson, of UK charity Reprieve.
He has a hernia and is having a mental breakdown and may well suffer permanent mental damage, says Mr Katznelson, of UK charity Reprieve. In his cell, there is a thin sleeping mat, toilet, sink and a Koran to read. Lights are left on all day and night and he is rarely allowed outdoors, the lawyer added.
In his cell, there is a one-inch thick sleeping mat, toilet, sink and a Koran to read. Lights are left on all day and night and he is rarely allowed outdoors.
Plea to president
His letters are heavily censored and he is allowed half-an-hour a week to reply, Mr Katznelson said.
Both men's MPs are fighting to secure their release.Both men's MPs are fighting to secure their release.
The Liberal Democrat Edward Davey, who is Mr al-Rawi's MP, asked the prime minister on 8 January to make a personal plea to President Bush to secure his release. Liberal Democrat MP Edward Davey asked Prime Minister Tony Blair on 8 January to make a personal plea to US President George W Bush to secure Mr al-Rawi's release.
The Foreign Office said it was in continuing talks with the US over his release and the decision was in their hands. The Foreign Office said it was in continuing talks with the US over his release and the decision was in the hands of US officials.
Each day that Jamil el-Banna spends in illegal imprisonment brings more pain for his family here in Brent Sarah Teather MP
However, it said that following a court ruling last July, it was under no obligation to act on behalf of his fellow foreign nationals being held.However, it said that following a court ruling last July, it was under no obligation to act on behalf of his fellow foreign nationals being held.
But Mr Katznelson said Britain's refusal to act was a question of pounds rather than justice, saying the US had offered to return the men so long as they were placed under 24-hour surveillance in the UK. 'Grieving heart'
"It's the extremity of injustice and the UK government has a moral obligation to intervene," he said. Sarah Teather, Lib Dem MP for Brent East, said it was "outrageous" that the government "would not lift a finger" to help her constituent.
Amnesty International said the sole existence of the camp was illegal and it had been calling for its closure since it opened. "Each day that Jamil el-Banna spends in illegal imprisonment brings more pain for his family," she said.
Sarah Teather, Lib Dem MP for Brent East where Mr el-Banna's family live, said it was "outrageous" that the government "would not lift a finger" to help her constituent. Also joining the vigil will be Amani Deghayes, whose Libyan-born brother Omar, 37, from Brighton, has been held at Guantanamo Bay since 2002.
"Each day that Jamil el-Banna spends in illegal imprisonment brings more pain for his family here in Brent," she said. His supporters claim he has been left virtually blind due to abuse suffered at the camp.
Ms Teather will also deliver a petition and letter from Mr el-Banna's son to Downing Street. His mother Zohra Zewawi said she had travelled to Cuba for the five-year anniversary protest because her heart was "overflowing with grief".