Release my brother from Guantánamo

Victory

Release my brother from Guantánamo

This petition made change with 44,248 supporters!
Yahdih Ould Salahi started this petition to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter

My brother has been locked up for 14 years without ever being charged with a crime.

His name is Mohamedou Ould Slahi. He has been detained in Guantánamo Bay Prison by the U.S. government since August 2002. My name is Yahdih. I’m calling for his release – and I urgently need your help.

Let me be clear: My brother Mohamedou has never threatened or acted against the United States. A military prosecutor acknowledged that there’s no evidence to charge him with any crimes. And a federal judge ordered his release. But the government appealed and continues to hold him without charge or trial.

The day in 2010 that the U.S. judge ordered his release was a like a holiday for us – our whole family was crying with joy. Yet six years later, my brother is still behind bars. My mother died in 2013 not knowing if our beloved Mohamedou would ever be free again.

My brother has survived the most brutal torture and interrogation practices with courage and kindness. In his book, Guantánamo Diary, Mohamedou’s humanity is clear to the world – he explains that he does not hold a grudge against his torturers or against the U.S. government. Our family bears no ill will against the United States either. We just want my brother to be set free.

We have been waiting for the United States to give Mohamedou a review board hearing in Guantanamo since 2011. Finally, a hearing is now scheduled for June 2, 2016. This is his chance to show there is no reason to continue to hold him.

We expect the Periodic Review Board will clear my brother for release. But even then his freedom could be delayed indefinitely. Therefore we call on Secretary of Defense Carter to do two things:

  • Immediately certify to Congress that Mohamedou will be released.
  • Ensure that Mohamedou is quickly transferred out of Guantánamo Bay so he can restart his life as a free man.

It’s time to release my brother from everything he has endured in U.S. custody. Please add your name now to call for freedom for Mohamedou.

Victory

This petition made change with 44,248 supporters!

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