Document - USA: Further information on health concern/torture: Jumah al-Dossari (m)
PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 51/122/2006
24 July 2006
Further Information on UA 84/06 (AMR 51/067/2006, 11 April 2006) Health concern/Torture
USA Jumah al-Dossari (m)
Amnesty International remains seriously concerned for the physical and psychological wellbeing of Bahraini national Jumah al-Dossari, who has now been detained in Guantánamo for more that four-and-a-half years.
In a letter written to his lawyer on 12 June 2006, two days after three Guantánamo detainees were found dead in their cells after apparent suicides, and four days after he was informed of the death of his father, Jumah al-Dossari wrote: “My health condition is very poor, and so is my psychological state. I do not think that I will carry on much further. I feel very unwell, and I feel that my end is imminent. Please, if you can, come and visit me in Cuba, even without an interpreter, very soon. Do something for me. I am almost in the throes of death.”
Jumah al-Dossari’s father died of throat cancer in Saudi Arabia on 31 May 2006. His family had previously made public appeals in the media asking for Jumah al-Dossari to be released so that he could see his father one more time. Jumah al-Dossari was informed of his father’s death on 8 June.
Recent unconfirmed reports suggest that Jumah al-Dossari and the two other Bahraini detainees still held at Guantánamo may be released soon. On 23 July an unnamed diplomat stated publicly that an agreement had been reached to release the three detainees and that one of the men would be released within a few weeks. Previous suggestions that the Bahraini detainees were to be released imminently have proven to be false.
Jumah al-Dossari’s brother has stated that he was “afraid to believe” the rumours of imminent release because “I don’t want to be disappointed if it doesn’t turn out to be true”.
The two other detainees from Bahrain still detained at Guantánamo are Salah Abdul-Rasool Ali al-Balooshi and Isa Ali Abdulla Ali al-Murbati. Isa al-Murbati was reported to be in poor physical condition when his lawyers visited him in May 2006. In November 2005 three other Bahraini nationals were transferred from Guantánamo to Bahrain where they were released without charge or trial.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Jumah al-Dossari was seized in Pakistan in late 2001 and held for several weeks by the Pakistani authorities. US agents then flew him to Kandahar airbase in Afghanistan, and took him from there to Guantánamo. Jumah al-Dossari claims that he has been tortured in custody. This has included beatings and death threats, prolonged isolation, exposure to extreme cold and death threats. Jumah al-Dossari's full testimony of his experiences can be read here: http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAMR511072005
Jumah al-Dossari is said to have attempted suicide at least 12 times since he was detained. The most recent known attempt was in March 2006, when he attempted to slit his throat. A previous attempt in October 2005 was witnessed by his lawyer. He has stated that he wanted to kill himself because conditions at Guantánamo are intolerable.
On 10 June 2006, three Guantánamo detainees, two Saudi Arabian nationals and one Yemeni national, were found dead in their cells after apparent suicides.
Detainees, including released detainees interviewed by Amnesty International, have spoken of the psychological impact of the isolation and indefinite nature of the Guantánamo regime – conditions that Amnesty International has defined as amounting to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment prohibited under international law.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:
- expressing your continued concern at the conditions of detention of Jumah al-Dossari, and seeking assurances that he is being given access to appropriate and independent medical care;
- seeking clarification of recent reports that the three Bahraini detainees in Guantánamo are to be released soon;
- Seeking assurances that all relevant people, including lawyers and family members, are kept fully informed of all developments relating to the continued detention of Jumah al-Dossari and all other Guantánamo detainees.
APPEALS TO:
Navy Rear Adm. Harry B. Harris
Commander Joint Task Force Guantánamo
Department of Defense
Joint Task Force Guantánamo
Guantánamo Bay, Cuba
APO AE 09360
Fax: +1 305 437 1241
Email: harrishb@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil
Salutation: Dear Rear Admiral
General Bantz John Craddock
Commander United States Southern Command
3511 NW 91st Ave., Miami, FL, 33172-1217
USA
Fax: +1 305 437 1077
Salutation: Dear General
COPIES TO:
Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, The Pentagon, Washington DC 20301, USA
Fax: + 1 703 697 8339
Charles D Stimson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs
2500 Defense Pentagon 5E420, Washington, DC 20301, USA
Fax: +1 703 697 6166
and to diplomatic representatives of USA accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 4 September 2006.