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Guantanamo protest at US embassy | Guantanamo protest at US embassy |
(30 minutes later) | |
A 10-year-old boy whose father has been detained at Cuba's Guantanamo Bay camp delivered a letter to Downing St, ahead of a protest outside the US Embassy. | |
Anas Lel-Banna handed in his fourth letter to Tony Blair - reflecting the years his father, Jamil had been there. | |
He was accompanied by MP Sarah Teather, as campaigners marked the fifth anniversary of the camp's opening. | |
The demonstration was one of a number organised around the world by human rights group Amnesty International. | |
Protesters were dressed in orange boiler-suits, blindfolds, goggles and face-masks outside the US Embassy. | |
A petition was also handed in. | |
Plea to Prime Minister | |
Mr el-Banna was on a business trip to Gambia in November 2002, when he was arrested and handed over to the US authorities. | |
Campaigners believe he was then flown to Afghanistan before being transferred to Guantanamo. | |
Anas' letter read: "I want to know if Mr Blair cares after four years. | |
"No one knows what the meaning of four years without a dad is and is he still alive? Only God knows. | |
"No one knows how my life has changed after my dad was kidnapped from my life only because he didn't have British passport. | |
"Tony Blair, do you care if my dad is back or stuck there? Please give me an answer." | |
A candlelit vigil outside Downing Street on Wednesday was intended to put pressure on the government to secure the release of detained UK residents. | A candlelit vigil outside Downing Street on Wednesday was intended to put pressure on the government to secure the release of detained UK residents. |
Ms Teather, Lib Dem MP for Brent East, said it was "outrageous" it was not doing more. | |
You are not allowing human rights groups there, you are not allowing families to visit, and you are not offering these prisoners - even after five years - the prospect of a fair trial Amnesty International spokesman Neil Durkin | You are not allowing human rights groups there, you are not allowing families to visit, and you are not offering these prisoners - even after five years - the prospect of a fair trial Amnesty International spokesman Neil Durkin |
Amnesty International has called the camp "an icon of lawlessness". | Amnesty International has called the camp "an icon of lawlessness". |
Spokesman Neil Durkin told BBC News: "It is totally, completely unacceptable that you are holding 390 prisoners in total defiance of international human rights standards. | Spokesman Neil Durkin told BBC News: "It is totally, completely unacceptable that you are holding 390 prisoners in total defiance of international human rights standards. |
"You are not allowing human rights groups there, you are not allowing families to visit, and you are not offering these prisoners - even after five years - the prospect of a fair trial. | "You are not allowing human rights groups there, you are not allowing families to visit, and you are not offering these prisoners - even after five years - the prospect of a fair trial. |
"There are all those allegations of torture as well, so I think it is important we say something today." | "There are all those allegations of torture as well, so I think it is important we say something today." |
The UK government has already said it would prefer it if the camp was closed. | The UK government has already said it would prefer it if the camp was closed. |
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. | 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. |
Lawyers say Mr al-Rawi is having a mental breakdown | Lawyers say Mr al-Rawi is having a mental breakdown |
Among them are Iraqi businessman Bisher al-Rawi and his friend, Mr el-Banna, who both lived in London before they were detained. | |
They have been held without trial 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. |
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 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 al-Rawi has been in isolation since March last year and is having a mental breakdown, says Mr Katznelson, of UK charity Reprieve. | Mr el-Banna has five British children, the youngest of whom he has never met. Mr al-Rawi has been in isolation since March last year and is having a mental breakdown, says Mr Katznelson, of UK charity Reprieve. |
Continuing talks | Continuing talks |
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 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. |
Both men's MPs are fighting to secure their release. | Both men's MPs are fighting to secure their 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. | 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. |
Mr el-Banna has never met his youngest child | Mr el-Banna has never met his youngest child |
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. | 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. |
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. |
'More pain' | 'More pain' |
Also joining the vigil is Amani Deghayes, whose Libyan-born brother Omar, 37, from Brighton, has been held at Guantanamo Bay since 2002. | |
His mother Zohra Zewawi said she had travelled to Cuba for the five-year anniversary protest because her heart was "overflowing with grief". | His mother Zohra Zewawi said she had travelled to Cuba for the five-year anniversary protest because her heart was "overflowing with grief". |
Are you taking part in the protest? Send your comments using the form below. | Are you taking part in the protest? Send your comments using the form below. |
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