UK Resident: Gitmo Tough to Endure

[cal04]

A British resident released from Guantanamo Bay after nearly five years in captivity said Sunday his detention at the U.S. prison camp was ``profoundly difficult'' to endure, his first comments since his release.

Bisher al-Rawi, a 37-year-old Iraqi national, had been held at the U.S. base in Cuba since it opened in 2002, but was reunited with his family in south London this weekend.

British officials have long refused to represent resident foreigners held at Guantanamo, but took up al-Rawi's case after it was disclosed he had provided assistance before his detention to MI5 - Britain's domestic spy agency.

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``The hopelessness you feel in Guantanamo can hardly be described. You are asked the same questions hundreds of times,'' al-Rawi said. ``Allegations are made against you that are laughably untrue, but you have no chance to prove them wrong. There is no trial, no fair legal process.''

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6525705,00.html?gusrc=ticker-103704

[rgbecker]

1. This should be top priority: Shut Gitmo down now! n/t