the campaign continues 05/08
Save Omar began as a group of Brighton people who got together to campaign for the release of Guantanamo detainee... more
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Omar is free 06/03/08
reprieve press release - guardian story - Argus: Omar's relief
Omar Deghayes is finally free. He was held in Guantanamo Bay for five years and when returned to Britain in December 2007, he was re-arrested, tagged and subject to a curfew while Spain began extradition proceedings. On 6th March 2008, Spanish authorities dropped the case against him and another former Guantanamo detainee, Jamil el-Banna.
Jackie Chase, spokesperson for Save Omar campaign stated:
"We're delighted to hear that the Spanish authorities have seen sense and decided not to pursue this extradition request any further."
"Everybody should now be satisfied these men pose no threat whatsoever. Omar and Jamil should be left in peace to get on with their lives—although they will always bear the scars of the crimes committed against them."
"This whole case has highlighted how wrong it is to disregard standards of human rights and allow people to be detained without charge and subjected to torture and other appalling practices."
"We need to stand up and demand they shut down Guantanamo Bay, Belmarsh and the whole network of secret CIA torture camps around the world."
Zohra Zewawi, Mr Deghayes' mother, said: "I am so happy, I cannot explain how I am feeling."
"My feelings are very very strong, I cannot find the words to say. I am sure I can relax more and I feel he will be here to stay."
Omar Deghayes stated: “Thank you for the support I received while was in Guantanamo. I am amazed by people’s commitment to me and to opposing the Guantanamo regime. Since I have been home those still there are always on my mind.”
Omar Deghayes is finally free. He was held in Guantanamo Bay for five years and when returned to Britain in December 2007, he was re-arrested, tagged and subject to a curfew while Spain began extradition proceedings. On 6th March 2008, Spanish authorities dropped the case against him and another former Guantanamo detainee, Jamil el-Banna.Save Omar activists, who had worked together for three years for Omar’s release, celebrated this victory but vowed to continue working for the release of all detainees and the closure of Guantanamo.
Jackie Chase, spokesperson for Save Omar campaign stated:
"We're delighted to hear that the Spanish authorities have seen sense and decided not to pursue this extradition request any further."
"Everybody should now be satisfied these men pose no threat whatsoever. Omar and Jamil should be left in peace to get on with their lives—although they will always bear the scars of the crimes committed against them."
"This whole case has highlighted how wrong it is to disregard standards of human rights and allow people to be detained without charge and subjected to torture and other appalling practices."
"We need to stand up and demand they shut down Guantanamo Bay, Belmarsh and the whole network of secret CIA torture camps around the world."
Zohra Zewawi, Mr Deghayes' mother, said: "I am so happy, I cannot explain how I am feeling."
"My feelings are very very strong, I cannot find the words to say. I am sure I can relax more and I feel he will be here to stay."
Omar Deghayes stated: “Thank you for the support I received while was in Guantanamo. I am amazed by people’s commitment to me and to opposing the Guantanamo regime. Since I have been home those still there are always on my mind.”
Thank you from Omar
On 31 Dec 2007, Omar wrote to Brighton’s local newspaper, The Argus, which had run its own campaign to free him. This is the text of his letter:
"I am writing to thank you for the continued support you showed me throughout the years I was locked away in Guantanamo Bay. I was amazed by the support I received from the people of Brighton and the readers of The Argus. I hope you continue to help free the people left in Cuba, and help close that ugly place. The compassion that was shown by people in Brighton and across the UK, and also people in Ireland and Denmark was overwhelming. Recently, I was speaking to an American friend of mine who said admiringly that Brighton should be made an elected haven of peace, compassion, care and asylum for people in need. I totally agree. All the best.
Omar Deghayes."
"I am writing to thank you for the continued support you showed me throughout the years I was locked away in Guantanamo Bay. I was amazed by the support I received from the people of Brighton and the readers of The Argus. I hope you continue to help free the people left in Cuba, and help close that ugly place. The compassion that was shown by people in Brighton and across the UK, and also people in Ireland and Denmark was overwhelming. Recently, I was speaking to an American friend of mine who said admiringly that Brighton should be made an elected haven of peace, compassion, care and asylum for people in need. I totally agree. All the best.
Omar Deghayes."
GUANT�NAMO DETAINEES:
YEARS WITHOUT JUSTICE
About Omar
Omar was one of the last remaining British residents imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay. The British government used the excuse that he holds only refugee status to deny all responsibility for him.history of persecution
Omar and his family left Libya for the UK in 1986, six years after his father, a democrat and trade unionist, was assassinated by Colonel Gaddafi's regime. They settled just outside Brighton, Omar with refugee status in the UK, and the remainder of his family as British citizens.Travelling
In 2001, after studying law at UK universities, Omar travelled with a friend to Malaysia, Pakistan and eventually to Afghanistan. There he met and married his Afghani wife, and had a son, Suleiman, who is now four years old.Imprisoned
When war broke out, Omar moved his family to Pakistan, fearing for their safety, and en route back to the UK. There he was arrested by bounty-hunters along with his wife and young son (both later released) and taken to Bagram, which he describes as reminiscent of a Nazi prison camp. He was later sent on to Guantánamo, where he has suffered further human rights abuses.Mistaken identity
The only "evidence" for Omar's arrest is a video, allegedly showing Omar, from the Spanish authorities. However experts have confirmed what is seemingly apparent; that the person in the video isn't Omar.Tortured and blinded
On one occasion, guards attacked Omar with pepper spray, rubbing the chemical in his eyes, so that he is now completely blinded in one eye.Libyan death threats
The US authorities have allowed Gaddafi's Libyan interrogators to interview him. They threatened him, saying, "In here I cannot do anything, but if I meet you [later] I will kill you, if you don't kill me."Contact WebHost
- Email: jackie@save-omar.org.uk
- webstats
