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Relatives Push for Guantanamo Detainees' Release
Mariam Al Hakeem
Gulf News
May 30, 2006
Riyadh : Some 150 relatives of Saudi nationals who have been detained in GuantanamoBay will meet here tomorrow to discuss ways of getting them released, human rights activists said.
The meeting, the first of its kind, will be held under the auspices of the Saudi Society for Human Rights at its headquarters, said Dr Bandar Al Hujar, president of the society.
Speaking to Gulf News yesterday, Dr Al Hujar said the relatives will make a formal appeal for the release of their kin.
Global conference
Dr Bandar Al Hujar also disclosed plans of the society to hold an international conference as part of drawing attention to the condition of GuantanamoBay detainees.
The conference will be convened in Riyadh within the next few months. Several international figures working in the human rights field, including heads of major international human rights organisations, will be invited. Dr Bandar Al Hujar also held extensive talks with a visiting British delegation headed by former Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd.
He briefed the delegation on the activities of the society, as well as its major objectives and future plans.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Al Hujar said the society is currently engaged in working out a plan to include human rights as part of the curriculum in Saudi schools and universities.
Meanwhile, the Saudi authorities have released on bail three SaudiGuantanamoBay returnees who arrived in the kingdom on July 20, last year after the court sentenced them to different jail terms.
Prince Mohammad Bin Naif, assistant interior minister for security affairs received the released detainees and wished them a happy future.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, reiterated the keenness of the Saudi government to secure the release of Saudi detainees in Guantanamo, saying "Intensive efforts are being exerted in this respect and the detainees, with the grace of Almighty Allah, will soon return home."
Prince Naif also denied reports that his recent statement with regard to restricting the activities of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (religious police) in arresting nuisance-makers was part of curbing the commission's powers.
Excessive powers
Prince Naif recently warned against the religious police exercising excessive powers in arresting Saudi youths for nuisance-making.
In reply to a question about internet statements with signatures of more than 60 writers alleging Saudi Arabia is not applying Shariah, Prince Naif said: "If these signatories are men of specialisation and aware of the Shariah, then they should realise Saudi Arabia has been implementing the Shariah and its constitution based on the Holy Quran and the Prophet's Sunnah."
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