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National Human Rights Association Optimistic about Release of Saudi Gitmo Detainees | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat- Information received from the Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues has highlighted that the 121 Saudi detainees held in Guantanamo after the American war in Afghanistan will be repatriated within the next few months.

In the fifth edition of the ‘Huqooq’ bulletin that is issued by the National Association of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, Christopher Wick, a researcher for the Human Rights Association in the kingdom confirmed that he has received information from the ambassador clarifying that the Saudi detainees would be handed over to Saudi authorities. Wick added that the Association was unable to reach the Saudi detainees; however, it followed up the cases in American courts and issued reports on them.

The National Association of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia recently held a meeting with Saudi lawyers to discuss developments of the cases of the 121 Saudi detainees.

Saudi’s capital, Riyadh, has lately witnessed the launch of a coordinative council that’s members include lawyers, human rights activists and representatives from the families of the Saudi detainees. The council will be responsible for mobilizing the public to support the release of the Saudi prisoners especially in light of American persistence against this. The council will also address American public opinion in this regard as representatives of the newly-established Saudi Journalists Association will join the council to set a comprehensive plan to highlight the case through global media.

U.S administration had suspended procedures for the defense of the Saudi detainees considered a violation by human rights activists as the American Supreme Court gives prisoners the right to defend themselves in the state’s federal courts.