Rice Should Press Algeria on Fate of Returned Guantanamo Detainees (HRW)

[struggle4progress]

(Washington, DC, September 5, 2008) – US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice should press the Algerian government on the well-being and status of Guantanamo detainees returned to Algeria when she travels to Algiers on September 6, Human Rights Watch said today. Four Guantanamo detainees from Algeria have been returned in the last two months, and Rice is expected to discuss future Guantanamo returns during her visit.

“We welcome the stepped-up efforts to send Guantanamo detainees home,” said Jennifer Daskal, senior counterterrorism counsel at Human Rights Watch. “But the US must also take steps to ensure that detainees are not being returned to torture or other abuse.”

On July 2, 2008, the United States transferred Abderrahmane Houari (also known as Sofiane Hadarbache), 28, and Mustafa Ahmed Hamlily, 39, from Guantanamo to Algiers – making them the first Algerian detainees to be repatriated. Upon arrival, both men were detained for nearly two weeks without access to family members or a lawyer. They have since been granted bail pending their court appearances on September 28 and October 4, respectively, before the investigative judge on charges of belonging to a terrorist organization abroad and using forged travel documents.

On August 26, 2008, Mohammed Abd Al Al Qadir (also known as Mohamed Trari), 27, and Abdulli Feghoul, 42, were returned to Algeria after more than six years in Guantanamo. Algerian authorities took them into custody upon their return, and there appears to be no information available about their status or whereabouts ...

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/09/05/usint19754_txt.htm