London Gitmo demo.

Guido | 12.01.2008 11:27 | Repression | Terror War | London

On Friday several hundreds of volunteers from Amnesty International staged a protest in London near the American Embassy. Building work at the temple of darkness prevented the demonstration from happening right outside. The their credit the protesters endured an hour of being made to stand and kneel in the freezing rain while others dressed as American soldiers bawled orders and insults at them. Special mention should go to the attack dogs which gave what can only be described as Oscar worthy performances.

Hundreds gather at the US Embassy...

...to protest in solidarity...

...with those whom have been kept in cages...

...for ages and ages.

The senior officers arrive...

...to inspect the inmates...

...and identify those...

...in need of special attention.

"What did you say about my mom?"

'Terror suspect' and Dead Kennedys fan...you're not going to be popular are you?

From the Amnesty Press Release:

“ It’s time for Guantanimo Bay to close. After six long years these totally illegal detentions must come to an end.

“Along with similar demonstrations around the world, we’re resorting to this cell protest to send a clear message to the US government: Close Guantanimo and other secret prisons immediately.

“Guantanimo Bay is an unlawful black hole. It has completely failed to make the world a safer place – instead it’s become a symbol for abuses in the ‘War on Terror’ and had a disastrous effect on respect for human rights around the globe.

“Of course governments need to combat terrorism, but this must be done using proper courts and proper justice. Guantanimos 275 detainees should be given a fair trial or released to a safe country.

Amnesty International is warning that illegal practices adopted by the US government in it’s ‘war on terror’ –at Guantanimo and with CIA secret detentions- have led to a dangerous setting aside of funamental human rights in the name of national security. The organization cites a corrosive effect on the rule of law and respect for human rights in Afghanistan, Pakistan, East Africa and Europe. In Pakistan, for example, the recent reappearance of people considered ‘disappeared’ has highlighted this trend. Meanwhile Amnesty knows of at least 38 people believed to have been held in secret detention by the CIA whose fate and whereabouts remain unknown. The human rights organization is pointing out that the CIA’s rendition and detention programme could not have operated without the cooperation of other governments and that such governments have also been complicit in Guantanimo detentions

Guido
e-mail: guidoreports@riseup.net