TUNISIA: JUSTICE MINISTRY, ASTONISHED BY GUANTANAMO INMATES

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, 19 JUNE - "Tunisia is astonished by claims of the violation of human rights that some Tunisian prisoners supposedly could undergo if they are repatriated to their country of origin," the Tunisian Ministry for Justice and Human Rights said in a statement reacting to the prospects for Tunisian prisoners at Guantanamo who could be sent home. "Such claims, made to justify the transfer of these citizens resident abroad to certain European countries rather than repatriating them, are totally baseless. The Constitution of Tunisia guarantees the physical and moral integrity of any person on its territory and the country has always collaborated with the United Nations and international institutions on such matters," the statement claimed. "The fact of being detained at the Guantanamo camp is not proof of guilt. The detainees convicted in their absence by Tunisian courts can, when that happens, make use of their right to appeal against such judgements". The ministry cited the case of two former Guantanamo detainees who were repatriated in 2007 who appealed. "They benefitted from a fair and public trial and their sentences were reduced. They are held in normal conditions and receive regular visits from family members and their lawyers." "In this context, the repatriation to Canada of Said Jaziri, an Imam of Tunisian origin, should be remembered. It was also said of him, in certain circles, that he would be badly treated in his country. After his arrival in Tunisia, Said Jaziri was not prosecuted, nor arrested or denounced. He currently lives peacefully with his family," said the statement. (ANSAmed).

The real reason that we cannot close Club GITMO is that the muslims don't want to go back to their home countries and their home countries don't want them either.