It is seven shameful years since the first terror suspects were transported to the military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In that time over 800 people have been unlawfully detained, and many have suffered horrific ill-treatment and torture.

But the tide is turning against Guantanamo. In November President-elect Barack Obama stated in an interview on CBS that he will follow through with his commitment to close the military camp.

Let’s turn his words into actions - call on Barack Obama to announce a date and plan to close Guantanamo

The closure of Guantanamo Bay would mark a clean break from past US detention policies, but the devil is in the detail: there must be no re-creation of Guantanamo by any other name in any other place.

And what of the future of the detainees? Around 250 people remain in Guantanamo, but many who have been cleared for release cannot go back to their own countries for fear of torture or persecution. It is the responsibility of other nations – including Australia – to offer humanitarian protection to those who cannot return home.

Please send your email to Barack Obama to close Guantanamo and protect the futures of the detainees

Thank you for your support at this critical time. Mr Obama can’t work miracles, but he can clean up the USA’s dirty “war on terror”.

Claire Mallinson
National Director
Amnesty International Australia

Close Guantanamo now