The United States has announced that a Guantanamo Bay inmate, identified as Abdul Latif Nasir, has been transferred back to Tunisia. Nasir, a Libyan national who has been held at the detention facility for nearly two decades, was cleared for release by a US government review board in 2016.
The decision to return Nasir to Tunisia comes after years of diplomatic negotiations between the US and Tunisian governments. The transfer is seen as a significant step towards closing the controversial detention center, which has long been criticized for its treatment of inmates and lack of due process.
Nasir was captured by Pakistani authorities in 2002 and transferred to Guantanamo Bay shortly after. He was accused of being a member of al-Qaeda and having ties to terrorist organizations. However, he has maintained his innocence throughout his time in detention and has never been charged with a crime.
The US government has cited Nasir’s health issues and his cooperation with authorities as reasons for his release. In a statement, the Department of Defense said, “The United States is grateful to the government of Tunisia for its willingness to support ongoing US efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.”
While the transfer of Nasir is a positive development, human rights organizations continue to call for the closure of Guantanamo Bay and the release of all remaining detainees. The facility, which was opened in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, has been a source of controversy and criticism for its treatment of inmates and lack of transparency.
The return of Abdul Latif Nasir to Tunisia is a step in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done to address the human rights violations at Guantanamo Bay and ensure justice for all detainees. The international community must continue to push for the closure of the facility and the fair treatment of all individuals held there.