The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced the transfer of 11 Yemeni detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to Oman, signaling a continued effort to reduce the number of detainees held at the controversial site. The decision reflects an ongoing policy approach aimed at addressing both national security considerations and longstanding international criticisms of the facility.
According to the DOD announcement, the transfer was facilitated after a review by the Periodic Review Board (PRB). The PRB determined by consensus that the continued detention of these detainees under the law of war was unnecessary, as they no longer posed a significant threat to national security. The board’s process is part of an administrative framework established to assess whether ongoing detention is warranted, as detailed in Executive Orders 13492 and 13567 issued by former President Barack Obama.
One notable detainee among those transferred is Sharqawi Abdu Ali Al Hajj, who has been held without charge for 23 years. The Centre for Constitutional Rights (CCR) highlighted his case, noting his torture by the CIA prior to being sent to Guantanamo in 2004. Advocacy groups like Amnesty International have welcomed the transfer, urging the Biden administration to expedite the process for other detainees who have not been charged with crimes.
The move reduces the remaining population at Guantanamo Bay to 15 detainees. This follows other recent transfers, including the transfer of two detainees to Malaysia and the repatriation to Tunisia of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi. These actions are consistent with the international community’s calls, including those from the UN Human Rights Council, for the closure of Guantanamo Bay, which has been criticized heavily for alleged human rights abuses.
Originally established in 2002 by President George W. Bush in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Guantanamo Bay remains a focal point in discussions about U.S. national security policy, human rights, and the rule of law. The recent transfers reflect a significant, albeit gradual, shift towards resolving the ongoing legal and ethical questions surrounding the facility’s existence.