A symbol of torture...rendition...and indefinite detention without charge or trial. Help put this to an end.


[[link removed]]

I SPENT 14 YEARS BEHIND BARS AT GUANTÁNAMO. HELP CLOSE IT FOR GOOD »
[[link removed]]


[[link removed]]

John,

I remember the hope I felt twelve years ago, as President Obama took office. In
my prison cell, I read a copy of his order to finally close Guantánamo Bay, and
tears of joy streamed down my face.

My horrific, endless nightmare — held behind bars since 2002, tortured, and never even charged with a crime — was finally going to end. I was held there for seven more gruesome years
before being released in 2016, thanks to Amnesty International and other groups
who campaigned tirelessly for my freedom.

But I’m just one person to be freed: today, Guantánamo remains open. Forty
Muslim men are still held there behind bars, most of whom have also never been
charged with a crime nor given a fair trial. Now, President Biden needs to pick up where President Obama left off and end
these grave human rights violations by closing Guantánamo.

Amnesty just released a report shining a light on the 19-year record of human
rights violations at the Guantánamo Bay detention facility. The report also maps
out how the current U.S. President and Congress can take tangible action to
close it once and for all. You can help make 2021 the year Guantánamo is finally closed: make a donation
to power Amnesty’s crucial campaign.
[[link removed]]

During my first few years detained, I was subject to what most people couldn’t
even imagine: extreme isolation, sleep deprivation, frigid rooms, beatings,
humiliations, and threats made against not only me, but my mother, too. One day,
I was blindfolded and taken out to sea in a boat for a mock execution.

In 2010, a military prosecutor acknowledged that there was no untortured
evidence to charge me with any crimes... and a federal judge ordered my release.
But the U.S. government appealed and continued to hold me without charge or
trial until my release to my home country of Mauritania six years later. During
this time I was waiting to go home, my mother passed away, not knowing whether I
would ever be set free. And now that I am free, I’m facing another kind of
prison — the stigma of being a former detainee means that governments severely
restrict my freedom of movement. I can’t travel to receive much-needed medical
attention for the damage that was done to my body from the torture I endured. I
can’t even visit my baby son and wife abroad.

I am still so thankful for my freedom — but my story is not unlike others who
remain there to this day.

My experience is now being told in a new film called The Mauritanian, and it
gives me hope that this spotlight and attention will encourage President Biden
to finally end this nightmare for human rights, and for the forty men still
behind bars.

President Biden has made important changes on human rights already, but he
hasn’t yet said what he’ll do about Guantánamo. That’s where we come in — where
defenders of human rights speak up and join Amnesty International’s
all-important campaign. Donate to support Amnesty’s work to help finally close this horrific prison.
[[link removed]]

During my time behind bars, I knew that there were many people fighting for my
freedom. I am so grateful for all the people who spoke out for me when I didn’t
have a voice — and I am grateful for Amnesty International, which has been
fighting for justice and human rights for Guantánamo detainees since its opening
in 2002.

When human rights advocates speak up, we can make a huge difference. We can
secure human rights for all.

Thank you,

Mohamedou Ould Salahi

P.S. I’m focused on making sure this prison is finally closed, and that the
human rights of remaining prisoners are respected. Join me
[[link removed]] .

* [link removed]
[[link removed]]

DONATE NOW
[[link removed]]

© 2021 Amnesty International USA

311 W 43rd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10036 | 1-800-AMNESTY

Please don't reply to this email. You can send questions to [email protected] [[email protected]] .


We’re so happy you’re here to hear about the most important updates on human
rights!
If necessary, you can opt to receive fewer emails
[[link removed]] or unsubscribe here
[[link removed]] .