Click above to read the full article on Adnan Latif in our 2007 magazine
Adnan Latif died at Guantánamo on Saturday, after being held over 10 years without charge—despite a judge’s order that he be released.
Latif protested his treatment with a hunger strike and poetry; these lines were cleared by government censors and serve as a tragic reminder of the urgent need to end indefinite detention and close the prison:
“Hunger Strike Poem”
They are artists of torture,
They are artists of pain and fatigue,
They are artists of insults
and humiliation.
Where is the world to save us
from torture?
Where is the world to save us
from the fire and sadness?
Where is the world to save
the hunger strikers?
What happened to Adnan Latif?
- He was held for over 10 years without charge, even though he was reportedly recommended by U.S. officials for transfer out of Department of Defense custody in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009.
- He alleged that he was held in solitary confinement for the majority of his detention at Guantánamo, and that he was beaten, strangled, abused and denied medical care.
- In 2010, a federal judge ruled that Latif’s detention was unlawful and that he should be released. But the Obama administration appealed, and Latif lost.
- On June 11, 2012, the Supreme Court declined, without comment, to hear Latif’s appeal, and he remained held without charge, hopeless about resolution of his case.
Latif’s attorney, David Remes, said “He was so fragile, he was so tormented that it would not surprise me if he had committed suicide. However you look at it, it was Guantánamo that killed him.”
Moving forward
There was always another path available to the U.S. government for handling Adnan Latif and other detainees–and for ensuring justice for the September 11 attacks–one without the human rights violations of indefinite detention, kangaroo courts and abuse: fair trial or release.
It’s not too late for the U.S. government to change course: either charge and fairly try the Guantánamo detainees in U.S. federal court, or release them to countries that will respect their human rights.
Take action
Send a message to President Obama right now on behalf of another Guantánamo detainee held for over 10 years without charge: Shaker Aamer.
Note: Amnesty International long campaigned on Adnan Latif’s case, calling for him to be either charged and fairly tried, or released. He was to be included in Amnesty International’s global letter writing marathon this December 10th, held every year to mark Human Rights Day. Email [email protected] for more information about how you can take part in this important event and help end human rights violations in the U.S. and around the world.
Another reason to vote for Jill Stein.
This is so heartbreaking..
This is such a travesty of justice; thank you for helping us remember and protest.
This doesn't indicate why/ how he ended up there, this only provokes, why was he there? He clearly had a connection to SOMETHING/SOMEONE that is not in the UNITED STATES best interest…be aware of your surroundings…
He was fragile? Bummer…. After 911… The US lives in fear and im tried of it…
"to SOMETHING/SOMEONE that is not in the UNITED STATES best interest.." This sounds like striking out at whoever you can catch and may have nothing to do with the violence we experienced 11 years ago. this is not rational nor Christian. What is your point of terrorizing someone we have not even charged?
"The US lives in fear" …"Living in fear is choosing to hold on to something that happened 11 years ago. Do US citizens have more of a right to life than people living in other countries. We are all part of the human species. Other human beings are living in this fear of attack on a daily basis. Creating violence and terror out toward others we fear only perpetuates fear in more people.
I could not agree more. A very courageous thing to say in the U.S, I'm sure – Roselyn keep arguing for calm and rational debate in the face of mass hysteria.
From the distance of Australia (not immune from anti- Islamic prejudice) it sometimes appears as if a wave of Nazi type hysteria is sweeping your country. Reading your comments really heartened me.
I beg to differ. Your reaction highlights a very common problem. Many assume that because he is a prisoner he deserves to be detained, furthermore we think that because his detainment was made in reaction to 9-11, he must somehow be connected. Both of these assumptions are extremely dangerous. In choosing to surrender to lazy self-serving assumptions (those that require the least amount of analytical thought, research and minimal discomfort) we are postponing true justice for both the victims and perpetrators of human rights crimes. Wise up. Its uncomfortable, indeed. But your discomfort is minimal in comparison to the pain that some rights victims face.
Stop living in fear of bogeymen then. The US creates its own hell,,it doesn't need help
Lolo check out the judge's ruling linked to in the blog for a discussion of the evidence for Latif's detention:
http://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2012…
There is not necessariy any connection between him and anything against the US' best interests, and we live in fear in this country because those in charge want us in fear, constantly, so as to continue the ridiculous spending abilities and power they now hold to keep us "safe". BS
I don't agree with some of the comments there is well documented evidence that prisoners have been held in prisons without reasonable cause shame on the US Government may this young man RIP in Heaven
the term "torture" is used for anything of discomfort from the Star spangled Banner in the mornings, the red ,white and blue label on the water bottles, the pattern of the butter patty when its formed and accidently has a cross or plus sign on it…the media never uses recent photos, just the 11 yr old ones where it looks like they're still in dog kennels..(and they WERe while they built the confines).why Gitmo? they had to put them somewhere to sort 'em out, to see who was ood or bad, were people falsely accused? maybe, but we needed a place to sort 'em out!1 your state? how about YOur state…NOone wants them in their state and american prisoners would love to get their hands on them, if you are only fed one view..the lib view OR the conserve view…you're gonna believe that view…no one wants to keep an open mind, no medical? Baloney, tormented? nope… unless he had his own demons….lots of armchair quarterbacking by thems that have no concept, except what fed them! It's easy to promise to close gitmo, till you go in and read the paperwork, they let the "Proffessor" go…and he became No. 2 man,till last week..oh well…72 more virgins and I'm wondering…WHILE they're World saving…when is amnesty international gonna start doing something about clitorectomies to young women, acid baths for unescorted and unveiled women, beheadings for dancing or being gay, lashings and stonings for women with headresses…I could go on
Well teddy I have no idea if he was physically tortured or if his butter was cut wrong … But imprisoned for ten years without charge is sick and wrong . Liberal conservative , not in my state whatever it's cruel inhumane and disgusting to take years of time off a person that you can't find enough reason to charge
Teddy the way to "sort people out" is through a fair trial – and that's exactly what's missing at Guantanamo.
Your ranting is laughable. Keeping leaving in fear cause that is where your gov wants you to be. Travel the world intead of feeding off the tube, news comes to you on you couch. Feel sorry for you!!!!!!!!
Perhaps trials are being avoided because of the trail leading to scoundrels of the previous administration that still manage to exert fear and control. The outrage has to come from us citizens so that the administration can move with support. People are too quiet or perhaps too few care ; that adds to the tragedy.
How can the US continue to present themselves as the good guys? What's that word they always flash around – democracy ??
This is so heartbreaking..
And fartbreaking!
Well, guess eeveryone should know there's more money in the business if fear is kept and nurtured. Arms, chemicals, protection (gear, guards) . In order to protect the US, some found it acceptable to skip the most basic rules that the US originally was funded upon. Right and justice for all. Made your own system into your own worst enemy. Which again will increase the no. Of enemies of the US (unlawfully imprisoned persons do have families…), not a good "solution". But I'm only a Norwegian… ?
This is such a travesty of justice; thank you for helping us remember and protest web designers in long island