How you can help Johina bring her father home

 

TAKING ACTION TOGETHER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Make sure Gordon Brown can't ignore Johina's letter

Dear Supporter, Shaker Aamer is a national of Saudi Arabia who moved to the UK in 1996. He and his British wife have four children – the youngest of whom Shaker has never seen. Faris hadn't been born when Shaker was captured by Northern Alliance fighters in Afghanistan and handed over to the US army in 2001. He was subsequently transferred to Guantánamo Bay, where he remains to this day. He has never been charged with any crime. Today marks eight long years since the notorious detention facility was opened. In that time, 750 people have been illegally detained. Nearly 200 men remain imprisoned without charge. Shaker's children have had enough. They want their father to come home. His daughter, Johina, has written a personal letter to Gordon Brown to ask him to intervene. She describes the terrible effect Shaker's absence has had on the rest of the family, and makes a heartfelt plea for his return. We want to make sure her letter isn't ignored – so we're asking you to help by downloading a copy, adding your message and sending it to the Prime Minister yourself. The more letters he receives, the more pressure he will feel to act. TAKE ACTION NOW Call on Gordon Brown to bring Shaker Aamer back to his family. 1.  Download a copy of the full letter (PDF): 2.  Add your message or name and send to: The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA Thank you for your support. We'll bring you more news on this campaign later this month. Yours sincerely, Sara Mac Neice Campaign Manager: Security and Human Rights

Background to this campaign: President Obama's inauguration last year seemed to signal an important human rights victory when he announced that the US would finally close Guantánamo. However, the date for its closure has already slipped, and nearly 200 men remain imprisoned without charge. At the end of 2009 we heard that some prisoners may be relocated to a prison in Illinois, but some of these may be held indefinitely and again without charge – Guantánamo with a different postcode. There have certainly been successes in the campaign against some of the abusive practices in the US-led "war on terror", but there is still much to be done and Amnesty believes European countries must play their part. For the UK, that should mean ensuring that Shaker Aamer comes home without delay.