The U.S. transferred 11 Yemeni detainees to Oman, reducing the number at Guantanamo Bay to 15. This transfer faced delays due to geopolitical events. Shaqawi al-Hajj, one of the transferred detainees, remained imprisoned for over 21 years without charges. The Biden administration continues to work toward reducing the detainee population and aims to close the facility.

On Monday, the Pentagon announced the transfer of 11 Yemeni detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to Oman, resulting in a remaining population of 15 detainees at this controversial site. Originally scheduled for October 2023, the transfer faced delays due to geopolitical events, including a Hamas-led attack on Israel. The United States expressed appreciation for Oman’s collaboration in supporting the reduction of the detainee population within Guantanamo Bay, with military officials highlighting the importance of responsible management of the facility’s inmate count. Among those transferred was Shaqawi al-Hajj, who spent nearly 21 years in detention without charges, reportedly enduring severe treatment at CIA sites prior to his incarceration at Guantanamo. The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) acknowledged Hajj’s ordeal, noting significant psychological trauma endured during his captivity. The desire to close Guantanamo Bay remains a priority for the current administration, which has recently taken steps to repatriate and transfer detainees after years of stalled processes. As the facility transitions toward a lower population, questions remain about the fate of remaining detainees and the future of Guantanamo itself.

The Guantanamo Bay detention facility has long been a focal point of controversy regarding the treatment of detainees and legal rights under U.S. military law. Established in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the prison initially housed nearly 800 prisoners, many of whom faced extended detention without formal charges. While successive administrations have attempted to address the detainee population, political challenges and security concerns have often complicated repatriation and transfer efforts. President Joe Biden, upon taking office, committed to closing the facility, but structural issues persist that make it difficult to facilitate these plans. The U.S. military continues to manage transfers responsibly to mitigate prolonged detentions of those cleared for release.

The recent transfer of 11 detainees from Guantanamo Bay marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to reduce the prison population and potentially close the facility. With now only 15 detainees remaining, the U.S. government is navigating complex legal and humanitarian challenges associated with the fate of these individuals. The developments highlight the overarching issues of justice and human rights within the context of national security, as advocates call for greater transparency and reform in detainee management.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net

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