The U.S. Defense Department has repatriated Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, a longtime detainee at Guantanamo Bay, to Tunisia, leaving 26 detainees at the facility. Al-Yazidi was transferred following a rigorous review process. The site has faced criticism for human rights abuses under the U.S. government.
On Monday, the United States Defense Department confirmed the repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi to Tunisia. A long-term detainee at Guantanamo Bay, al-Yazidi was one of the first prisoners received at the facility, which began operating in 2002 amid the U.S. “war on terror” following the September 11 attacks. The Defense Department stated that his transfer was approved after a thorough interagency review process, emphasizing that all necessary protocols for a responsible transfer were fulfilled in collaboration with Tunisian officials. The current population of Guantanamo Bay is now reduced to 26 detainees, significantly down from the approximately 800 at the facility’s peak.
The Guantanamo Bay detention facility was established by President George W. Bush as part of the U.S. response to terrorism. Since its inception, it has been the subject of intense criticism from human rights organizations, which have raised concerns regarding the treatment of detainees and alleged human rights violations, including torture. Amid ongoing debates about its operation, President Joe Biden has expressed intentions to close the facility, although it remains operational as of now. Al-Yazidi’s transfer is part of a larger effort to reduce the number of detainees, with 14 out of the remaining individuals currently eligible for transfer.
The repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi marks a significant step in the ongoing process of reducing the detainee population at Guantanamo Bay. Despite longstanding commitments to address the facility’s issues and the broader implications of U.S. detention practices, challenges remain. The detention center’s history of controversy underscores the complexity surrounding its future and the handling of remaining detainees.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
