The Palua constitution only allows those born in Palua to become citizens. Agreeing to a transfer there, while it might temporarily be better than being penned in Camp Iguana, is more likely to be a one-way trip. I know my country Canada, and many other countries, have toughened up, and will no longer accept refugees who have stopped off in a third country before applying for refugee status. While they remain in Guantanamo they can hope to be offered refugee status in a country with a muslim community, where they could resettle their families, and where they would have a reasonable prospect of finding work.

Bermuda’s PM invited the Uyghurs — even though Bermuda’s foreign policy remains the UK’s responsibility. He offered them citizenship, and again, if I am not mistaken, he lacked the authority to make that offer too.

If I were one of the Guantanamo captives, who had been cleared for release, but who hadn’t yet been offered a real home, I would decline a transfer to Palau, or Bermuda, or other countries where there was no muslim community, and which would never offer me citizenship.