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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Release Shaker

Release Shaker

Guardian, Letters, Monday 13 February 2012 21.00 GMT


For Shaker Aamer, the last British resident in Guantánamo, 14 February, marks 10 years of torture and abuse in detention (More detainees contact Met about torture claims, 14 January). It is a very sad day for Shaker – 10 lost years for a man who was cleared for release without charge over five years ago. It is a dark day for the reputation of the US, whose president has failed to honour his pledge of three years ago to close Guantánamo.

It is a day of shame to us all, who have not protested loud enough to bring him home. It is true that the UK government has requested his release and return to the UK. But it has to do even more. It is time that the government demanded that Shaker Aamer is set free. Ten years of torture and abuse have taken its toll on Shaker's mental and physical health. His lawyers fear for his life. Shaker should be released now and returned to his family and home in the UK before it is all too late.
Joy Hurcombe
Worthing, West Sussex

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