Press Statements on Shaker Aamer's Release

Shaker Aamer, a Saudi citizen and British resident, was transferred from his detention at Guantanamo Bay this morning. The Department of Defense, Reprieve (the organization whose lawyers have represented Aamer in litigation), and Aamer himself have all released statements on his departure.

DOD also released a statement acknowledging the release of Ahmed Ould Abdel Aziz, a Mauritanian detainee who was released from Guantanamo yesterday.

The Department of Defense announced today the repatriation of Ahmed Ould Abdel Aziz from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of Mauritania.

As directed by the president's Jan. 22, 2009, executive order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of this case. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, Aziz was unanimously approved for transfer by the six departments and agencies comprising the task force.

In accordance with statutory requirements, the secretary of defense informed Congress of the United States' intent to transfer this individual and of his determination that this transfer meets the statutory standard.

The United States is grateful to the Government of Mauritania for its willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The United States coordinated with the Government of Mauritania to ensure this transfer took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures.

Today, 113 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay.

DOD's press release on Shaker Aamer runs as follows:

The Department of Defense announced today the repatriation of Shaker Aamer from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of the United Kingdom.

As directed by the Presidential executive order, an interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of this case. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, Aamer was unanimously approved for transfer by the six departments and agencies comprising the task force.

In accordance with statutory requirements, the secretary of defense informed Congress of the United States' intent to transfer this individual and of his determination that this transfer meets the statutory standard.

The United States is grateful to the Government of the United Kingdom for its willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The United States coordinated with the Government of the United Kingdom to ensure this transfer took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures.

Today, 112 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay.

In response to the news of Aamer's release, his attorney Cori Crieder of Reprieve stated:

We are, of course, delighted that Shaker is on his way back to his home and his family here in the UK. It is long, long past time. Shaker now needs to see a doctor, and then get to spend time alone with his family as soon as possible.

Aamer released a statement after arriving in the United Kingdom, the text of which is available in full courtesy of the Guardian:

Without their devotion to justice I would not be here in Britain now. The reason I have been strong is because of the support of people so strongly devoted to the truth.

If I was the fire to be lit to tell the truth, it was the people who protected the fire from the wind. My thanks go to Allah first, second to my wife, my family, to my kids and then to my lawyers who did everything they could to carry the word to the world. I feel obliged to every individual who fought for justice not just for me but to bring an end to Guantánamo.

Without knowing of their fight I might have given up more than once; I am overwhelmed by what people have done by their actions, their thoughts and their prayers and without their devotion to justice I would not be here in Britain now.

The reality may be that we cannot establish peace but we can establish justice. If there is anything that will bring this world to peace, it is to remove injustice.