Families of Sudan detainees in US prison protest

August 19, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Families of nine Sudanese detained in the U.S. Guantanamo prison camp protested at the U.S. embassy in Khartoum on Sunday demanding their release, following news that one may be freed soon.

Last week the brother of detained Al Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Hajj said Washington had outlined a conditional release for Hajj provided he does not leave Sudan.

Hajj’s brother Asim al-Hajj told Reuters the conditions were unfair but welcomed his possible release. He said the group was marching outside the embassy in solidarity with all nine.

“We are here in solidarity to demand the release of our brothers, sons, and fathers from Guantanamo and for their return to their families,” he said.

“This suffering needs to end … it has continued for longer than 67 months, without any hearing for the detainees before a court, and without charge,” he added.

The U.S. holds nine Sudanese at the internationally criticised prison camp, all detained in Pakistan and Afghanistan on suspicion of “terrorist” activity and later transferred to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, family members leading the protest said.

Family members of the nine said the possibility for Hajj’s release was good news but they wanted all to be freed.

“This news gladdens us, news of the release of any one of the detained brothers is good news,” said Adil al-Tayyib, holding a banner picturing his brother-in-law Adil Hassan Hamad who was arrested by U.S. forces while working as an aid worker in Pakistan.

One of the protesters presented U.S. embassy official Joel Maybury with a petition of 5,000 Sudanese signatures for the release of the detainees.

Maybury said the embassy would convey the message to Washington.

He said review of Hajj’s case was a regular procedure.

“It gives an opportunity for people who know them or governments who are responsible for them … to provide any information that might help in determining the person’s status,” he added.

Maybury declined to comment on the likelihood of the release of any of the prisoners.

(Reuters)