Canada Denies U.S. Request to Admit Cleared Guantanamo Detainees

Cleared Uighur detainees held up signs in protest to visiting journalists in June 1st.

(Photo Courtesy of Toronto Star)

By Sovereign Hager

Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba -  Canada refused a request by the Obama administration to admit Guantanamo detainees from China, of Uighar ethnicity, amid speculation regarding pressure from the Chinese government.  China has actively sought the return of the 17 detainees for prosecution, but the U.S. will not return the men due to fear of torture. 

The detainees were cleared for release by the Pentagon in 2004 and will remain in an offshore prison until the United States finds them asylum.  Albania accepted five of the men in 2006, and is the only country to do so.

Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper cited security concerns and "security concerns" and a lack of connection to Canada in saying that " there is no rational for accepting them into the country".  Canadian detainee Omar Khadr, accused of killing a U.S. serviceman, would reportedly be "a different case" because he is a Canadian citizen.  However, Canada intends to let his prosecution continue to be handled by the United States.

Two of the detainees, who have been held for over seven years staged a protest with handwritten signs calling for their freedom.  The Pentagon initially refused to allow journalists to release photos of the protest signs, however, the White House approved their release.  The Obama administration has been seeking placements for cleared Guantanamo detainees, asking foreign governments to make sacrifices and unpopular choices to help close Guantanamo Bay.  

Protesters in Washington D.C. rallied for the release of the Uighur detainees in February. 

(Photo Courtesy of New York Times)

Last week, the Obama administration argued in a filing to the Supreme Court that a ruling blocking the detainees' ability to receive asylum in the U.S. should be upheld.  That ruling overturned a federal judge order that the Uighurs be given sanctuary in the U.S., considering the fact that the Pentagon no longer considered them enemy combatants. 

Muslim Uighurs from China's Xinjiang province seek autonomy for their region. The Chinese government has been cracking down on separatist activities.  China has warned that any country that accepts the men will be considered as harboring terrorists. 

For more information, please see:

AP- Canada Refuses U.S. Guantanamo Request - 5 June 2009

Canwest News Service - Canada Refuses Gitmo Detainees - 5 June 2009

CBC News - Canada Refuses U.S. Request to Accept Chinese Muslims from Guantanamo - 5 June 2009

Toronto Star - Canada Won't Accept Uighur Gitmo Detainees - 4 June 2009

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