JEDDAH, 12 January 2008 — Saudi Arabia’s National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has called for US President George W. Bush’s intervention for the release of remaining Saudi detainees in Guantanamo and Saudi student Humaidan Al-Turki.
The call comes on the occasion of the US president’s landmark visit to Saudi Arabia. In a letter submitted to the US Embassy in Riyadh, the NSHR said the release would contribute to strengthening relations between the two countries.
“The issues of Guantanamo and Humaidan Al-Turki have left a negative impression on the American administration and had a negative impact on the six-decade-long relations between peoples of the two friendly countries,” the letter said.
“Saudi-American relations have been based on mutual cooperation, confidence and joint interests in various fields and at all levels, and we look forward to Your Excellency looking into our request positively,” it added.
The rights watchdog also requested the president to pardon Humaidan Al-Turki, who is sentenced to 27 years to life in prison for allegedly mistreating his Indonesian maid. The verdict was given by Arapahoe County District Court in Colorado on Aug. 31 after Al-Turki was found guilty of 12 counts of forced sexual assault, and two charges of false imprisonment and conspiracy to imprison.
Most of the 136 Saudi detainees in Guantanamo have been released and returned to Saudi Arabia. Last month, US authorities set free 10 Saudis when Interior Minister Prince Naif said the government would continue its efforts to bring home the remaining Saudis at the camp.
Prince Naif also commended the cooperation of US authorities in obtaining the transfer of the prisoners. The ministry spokesman said arrangements had been made for the returnees to meet relatives.
The US authorities have returned dozens of Saudis over the past year in an effort to reduce the numbers of detainees at the controversial camp.
Public anger over the treatment of Saudi detainees in Guantanamo Bay has been high in the Kingdom.
