Responsive Image

The WUC Welcomes the Decision to Release Uyghur Detainees at Guantanamo

For immediate release
October 08, 2008
Contact: World Uyghur Congress
Tel: +49 89 5432199, Fax: +49 89 54349789, Contact:[email protected]

Munich: The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) welcomes the decision made by the U.S. District Court on Tuesday, which has ordered the U.S. government to release the Uyghur detainees held at Guantanamo Bay into the United States by the end of the week.

In his ruling Judge Ricardo M. Urbina said, “Because the Constitution prohibits indefinite detentions without cause, the continued detention is unlawful.” He ordered the government to release these Uyghur detainees, who have been held at Guantanamo for nearly seven years, by Friday.

“This is indeed a landmark decision paving the way of freedom for the Uyghur detainees. We have been waiting for so long for the day they are freed and resettled into the United States,” said Ms. Rebiya Kadeer, Uyghur democracy leader and WUC president.

“The decision symbolizes the victory of American justice system over China’s injustices imposed upon the peaceful Uyghur people. At the same time, this decision refutes China’s claims that it faces a terrorist threat from the long-suffering Uyghur people. The Uyghurs are not terrorists as Beijing claims. Like all suffering peoples under authoritarian rules for decades, they want peace, justice, freedom, democracy and human rights.”

The WUC believes that these Uyghur detainees should be freed and preferably resettled in the United States. The WUC and the Uyghur American Association will render all necessary assistance for their smooth resettlement in the U.S. and their adjustment in the American society. The Uyghur community in the U.S. is ready to assist their resettlement and help them to become constructive members of their community.

The Uyghurs are the friends of the United States and the free world. They believe that only the Western democracies could assist them in their peaceful and legitimate struggle against China’s heavy handed repression. For these reasons, the WUC urges the U.S. government not to appeal the order of U.S. District Court but instead consider resettling them in the U.S.

The WUC would like to express its deep appreciation to the hard works of these Uyghur detainees’ attorneys, P. Sabin Willett in particular, translators and the freedom-loving American people over the past years who have contributed so much for this day of freedom to come.