MPs plan US lobby to free Shaker Aamer from Guantánamo

British MPs plan to appeal to President Obama for the release of Shaker Aamer, the last British resident held at Guantánamo Bay. Above, a rally outside the Foreign Office, London, in 2014. Photograph: Philip Robins/Corbis

The campaign to free British resident Shaker Aamer from detention in Guantánamo and return him to his family in London has now reached a crucial stage. He has been held, often in solitary confinement, without charge or trial, for 13 years. There is no evidence against him and despite twice being cleared for release by the US authorities, Shaker remains in detention with all his human rights denied. He now has serious health problems so that his release becomes ever more urgent. A delegation of MPs plans to go to Washington soon after the election to try to keep President Obama to his promise to prioritise Shaker’s case and ensure his release as a matter of urgency. The Save Shaker Aamer Campaign is now trying to raise the money to cover the delegation’s expenses (www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-shaker-aamer-campaign).
Dave Esbester
Treasurer, Save Shaker Aamer Campaign