From The Center for Constitutional Rights

Almost two decades after Algerian citizen Djamel Ameziane was detained and sent to the Guantánamo Bay detention center, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued its report in Mr. Ameziane’s longstanding case. The report, publicly released by the Commission last week, determines the United States is responsible for Mr. Ameziane’s torture, abuse, and decade-long confinement without charge, and issues a series of recommendations.

This is the first decision ever made by a major regional human rights body regarding the human rights violations committed at Guantánamo and marks a historic victory affirming the right to judicial reparations for Mr. Ameziane and others who have been detained there.

“I was tortured for more than a decade at Guantánamo, and still suffer from the trauma of my horrible experience. The Commission’s decision is a significant step towards reparations for me and for other Muslim men and boys who were unjustly detained and abused in Guantánamo Bay during the dark days of the ‘War on Terror.’ I urge the United States to honor the Commission's recommendations, acknowledge the serious harms that we suffered, and close the prison camp. Guantánamo Bay must end. I am especially concerned about my fellow Algerian, Sufyian Barhoumi, who has been cleared for transfer for many years but continues to be held indefinitely. Sufyian, we have not forgotten you, and pray for your safe return home,” said Mr. Ameziane.

Learn more about Mr. Ameziane and this landmark decision on our website. While there, you can also head to this resource on our work advocating on behalf of our clients before the IACHR.