Shaker Aamer Finally Freed from Guantánamo: We Stand With Shaker Responds to the News

30.10.15

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Andy Worthington, the Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell (the founder and co-chair of the All-Party Shaker Aamer Parliamentary Group) and Joanne MacInnes at the launch of Fast For Shaker outside Parliament on October 15, 2015 (Photo: Seb Corbyn for Andy Worthington).

Please support my work!

Great news finally, as Shaker Aamer, the last British resident in Guantánamo, has just arrived back in the UK, at Biggin Hill airport. Below is a version of a press release I wrote and sent out this morning on behalf of the We Stand With Shaker campaign.

Responding to the news of Shaker Aamer’s arrival back in the UK from Guantánamo, Andy Worthington, the co-director of the We Stand With Shaker campaign, said, “We are delighted to hear about Shaker Aamer’s return to the UK, bringing to an end his long and unacceptable ordeal in US custody for nearly 14 years. Eight years ago, under George W. Bush, Shaker was first told that the US no longer wanted to hold him, and in 2009 the Obama administration also approved him for release. To be held for so long, after being approved for release, is unforgivable.”

Andy added, “We hope that on his return he is not detained by the UK authorities, and will immediately be allowed to be reunited with his family, and to begin to receive the medical and psychological care that he urgently needs to begin to put his life back together again. We thank all the campaigners who have worked tirelessly for Shaker’s release, the MPs from across the political spectrum who have devoted their energies to addressing this terrible injustice, his lawyers, the media who have understood the importance of his case and the principles at stake, and, of course, the concerned citizens around the world who have recognised his plight and acted on it.”

Andy also said, “We also recall the 112 other men still held at Guantánamo, and note that 52 of them have also, like Shaker, been approved for release by high-level US government review processes. We call for them also to be released as soon as possible.”

We Stand With Shaker was set up by independent journalist Andy Worthington and activist Joanne MacInnes last November, to call for Shaker Aamer’s release from Guantánamo. They publicised Shaker’s plight by having celebrities and MPs stand with a giant inflatable figure of him. The campaign struck a chord with the media and the general public alike, and contributed to the pressure to secure Shaker’s return to the UK.

Two weeks ago, Andy and Joanne also set up Fast For Shaker, successfully encouraging celebrities, MPs and concerned citizens around the world to fast in solidarity with Shaker.

For further information, please contact:
Joanne MacInnes on 07867 553580 or email.
Andy Worthington on 020 8691 9316 or email.

Andy Worthington is a freelance investigative journalist, activist, author, photographer, film-maker and singer-songwriter (the lead singer and main songwriter for the London-based band The Four Fathers, whose debut album, ‘Love and War,’ is available for download or on CD via Bandcamp — also see here). He is the co-founder of the Close Guantánamo campaign, the co-director of We Stand With Shaker, calling for the immediate release from Guantánamo of Shaker Aamer, the last British resident in the prison, and the author of The Guantánamo Files: The Stories of the 774 Detainees in America’s Illegal Prison (published by Pluto Press, distributed by the University of Chicago Press in the US, and available from Amazon, including a Kindle edition — click on the following for the US and the UK) and of two other books: Stonehenge: Celebration and Subversion and The Battle of the Beanfield. He is also the co-director (with Polly Nash) of the documentary film, “Outside the Law: Stories from Guantánamo” (available on DVD here — or here for the US).

To receive new articles in your inbox, please subscribe to Andy’s RSS feed — and he can also be found on Facebook (and here), Twitter, Flickr and YouTube. Also see the six-part definitive Guantánamo prisoner list, and The Complete Guantánamo Files, an ongoing, 70-part, million-word series drawing on files released by WikiLeaks in April 2011. Also see the definitive Guantánamo habeas list, the full military commissions list, and the chronological list of all Andy’s articles.

Please also consider joining the Close Guantánamo campaign, and, if you appreciate Andy’s work, feel free to make a donation.

See the following for articles about the 142 prisoners released from Guantánamo from June 2007 to January 2009 (out of the 532 released by President Bush), and the 123 prisoners released from February 2009 to September 2015 (by President Obama), whose stories are covered in more detail than is available anywhere else –- either in print or on the internet –- although many of them, of course, are also covered in The Guantánamo Filesand for the stories of the other 390 prisoners released by President Bush, see my archive of articles based on the classified military files released by WikiLeaks in 2011: June 2007 –- 2 Tunisians, 4 Yemenis (herehere and here); July 2007 –- 16 Saudis; August 2007 –- 1 Bahraini, 5 Afghans; September 2007 –- 16 Saudis1 Mauritanian1 Libyan, 1 Yemeni, 6 Afghans; November 2007 –- 3 Jordanians, 8 Afghans14 Saudis; December 2007 –- 2 Sudanese; 13 Afghans (here and here); 3 British residents10 Saudis; May 2008 –- 3 Sudanese, 1 Moroccan, 5 Afghans (herehere and here); July 2008 –- 2 Algerians1 Qatari, 1 United Arab Emirati, 1 Afghan; August 2008 –- 2 Algerians; September 2008 –- 1 Pakistani, 2 Afghans (here and here); 1 Sudanese, 1 Algerian; November 2008 –- 1 Kazakh, 1 Somali, 1 Tajik; 2 Algerians; 1 Yemeni (Salim Hamdan), repatriated to serve out the last month of his sentence; December 2008 –- 3 Bosnian Algerians; January 2009 –- 1 Afghan, 1 Algerian, 4 Iraqis; February 2009 — 1 British resident (Binyam Mohamed); May 2009 —1 Bosnian Algerian (Lakhdar Boumediene); June 2009 — 1 Chadian (Mohammed El-Gharani); 4 Uighurs to Bermuda; 1 Iraqi; 3 Saudis (here and here); August 2009 — 1 Afghan (Mohamed Jawad); 2 Syrians to Portugal; September 2009 — 1 Yemeni; 2 Uzbeks to Ireland (here and here); October 2009 — 1 Kuwaiti, 1 prisoner of undisclosed nationality to Belgium; 6 Uighurs to Palau; November 2009 — 1 Bosnian Algerian to France, 1 unidentified Palestinian to Hungary, 2 Tunisians to Italian custody; December 2009 — 1 Kuwaiti (Fouad al-Rabiah); 2 Somalis4 Afghans6 Yemenis; January 2010 — 2 Algerians, 1 Uzbek to Switzerland1 Egyptian1 Azerbaijani and 1 Tunisian to Slovakia; February 2010 — 1 Egyptian, 1 Libyan, 1 Tunisian to Albania1 Palestinian to Spain; March 2010 — 1 Libyan, 2 unidentified prisoners to Georgia, 2 Uighurs to Switzerland; May 2010 — 1 Syrian to Bulgaria, 1 Yemeni to Spain; July 2010 — 1 Yemeni (Mohammed Hassan Odaini); 1 Algerian1 Syrian to Cape Verde, 1 Uzbek to Latvia, 1 unidentified Afghan to Spain; September 2010 — 1 Palestinian, 1 Syrian to Germany; January 2011 — 1 Algerian; April 2012 — 2 Uighurs to El Salvador; July 2012 — 1 Sudanese; September 2012 — 1 Canadian (Omar Khadr) to ongoing imprisonment in Canada; August 2013 — 2 Algerians; December 2013 — 2 Algerians2 Saudis2 Sudanese3 Uighurs to Slovakia; March 2014 — 1 Algerian (Ahmed Belbacha); May 2014 — 5 Afghans to Qatar (in a prisoner swap for US PoW Bowe Bergdahl); November 2014 — 1 Kuwaiti (Fawzi al-Odah); 3 Yemenis to Georgia, 1 Yemeni and 1 Tunisian to Slovakia, and 1 Saudi; December 2014 — 4 Syrians, a Palestinian and a Tunisian to Uruguay4 Afghans2 Tunisians and 3 Yemenis to Kazakhstan; January 2015 — 4 Yemenis to Oman, 1 Yemeni to Estonia; June 2015 — 6 Yemenis to Oman; September 2015 — 1 Moroccan and 1 Saudi.


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146 Responses

  1. Geraldine Grunow says...

    Thank you for all your tireless work and good spirits throughout this terrible time.
    Time now to be happy that this travesty of justice has been righted for another person, but we need to continue to press for the release of all the other cleared detainees.

  2. Andy Worthington says...

    Yes indeed, Geraldine! Hoping people will consider joining the Close Guantanamo campaign: http://www.closeguantanamo.org/

  3. Kevin says...

    What great news! I’m so glad he is finally out of there! I hope he will be with his family as soon as possible.

  4. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Kevin. Yes, I believe he has already seen his family, and is doing well.

  5. Kevin says...

    Thank you Andy for your indefatigable, diligent reporting on Shaker Aamer and all those unlawfully detained at Guantanamo so that they are not forgotten and the rest of us in the public are kept informed!

  6. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks for the kind and supportive words, Kevin.

  7. Shaker Aamer Released from Guantanamo Bay Prison | Dandelion Salad says...

    […] Shaker Aamer Finally Freed from Guantánamo: We Stand With Shaker Responds to the News by Andy Worth… […]

  8. Andy Worthington says...

    So Joanne MacInnes, my colleague in the We Stand With Shaker campaign, woke me with the news this morning. Immediately, the phone calls from the media started, and the messages on Facebook, some of which are posted below.

    I put up the following message around 10am:

    Shaker Aamer’s on his way back home from ‪#GGuantanamo‬, expected at lunchtime!!! As co-director of We Stand With Shaker, I’m all over the news right now. A long-awaited day! There is, of course, no excuse whatsoever for someone to be held for nearly 14 years without charge or trial, and his long imprisonment was especially galling because he was approved for release by the US authorities in 2007 and 2009 but, unacceptably, continued to be held year after year. We’re hoping he will be allowed to recover in peace, and, when he is ready, will also be allowed to speak in full about his experiences.

  9. Andy Worthington says...

    Umm Tayyibah wrote:

    Great news! Congratulations to everyone who have been fighting for his release..

  10. Andy Worthington says...

    Dominik Tea Drinker Spitzer wrote:

    At last!

  11. Andy Worthington says...

    Attia Hasan wrote:

    What a blessed day Andy. Congratulations to you and everyone who fought to see this day. Alhamdulillah. Can’t thank you enough. Thank you.

  12. Andy Worthington says...

    Melani Finn wrote:

    Brilliant news!! Well done.

  13. Andy Worthington says...

    Marion Heads wrote:

    I cried when I heard the news Andy – always in solidarity with Shaker his family and all who worked tirelessly for this day.

  14. Andy Worthington says...

    Nusrat Raouf wrote:

    Brilliant news

  15. Andy Worthington says...

    Laura McNair wrote:

    Yes Andy!!!!! Great great news, congratulations on winning what you’ve been fighting for since I first met you. Sending massive hugs and cheers from Aus xxxx

  16. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Umm Tayyibah, Dominik, Attia, Melani, Marion, Nusrat and Laura. Great to hear from you all. It’s been an insanely busy day. Just now finding the time to respond to all your comments. Did any of you see or hear me on the TV/radio today?

  17. Andy Worthington says...

    Susanna Lafond wrote:

    At long last.

  18. Andy Worthington says...

    Asif Rana wrote:

    Well done Andy Worthington. We wouldn’t have even known about it, were it not for you.

  19. Andy Worthington says...

    Muhammad Asif wrote:

    Andy Worthington. Many congratulations, it is a great success.

  20. Andy Worthington says...

    Saba UmSafwan wrote:

    Brilliant news. Thanks to people like you who worked tirelessly for his freedom.

  21. Andy Worthington says...

    Allison Lee-Clay wrote:

    you are a good man, Andy.

  22. Andy Worthington says...

    Asim Qureshi wrote:

    Congratulations Andy – you’ve been truly tireless.

  23. Andy Worthington says...

    Sajida Habib wrote:

    Super news. Just saw on telly. Well done for your tireless campaign and conviction in his innocence.

  24. Andy Worthington says...

    Saleyha Ahsan wrote:

    It’s pretty amazing. Bit lost for words.

  25. Andy Worthington says...

    Barbara Al-Bayati wrote:

    Thank you, dear Andy Worthington

  26. Andy Worthington says...

    Dani Taylor wrote:

    The hearts of the human family are little less heavy right now. Truly a blessing resulting from your tireless work, dear Andy.

  27. Andy Worthington says...

    Aleksandra Łojek wrote:

    Bless you, Andy Worthington

  28. Andy Worthington says...

    Sarah Kay wrote:

    I have waited for this day for so long. I know you have too. This is incredible, I wish I was there to see him come home – but this is about him being reunited with his wife and children now.

    And for us, the work of holding UK authorities accountable has just begun. Thank you for everything you’ve done.

  29. Andy Worthington says...

    Riene Sullivan wrote:

    bless you Andy

  30. Andy Worthington says...

    Sue Glenton wrote:

    Great news, hope he gets the peace he needs.

  31. Andy Worthington says...

    Lisa Savage wrote:

    The end of this particular shameful chapter of U.S. history. May all the rest of the innocent men in the torture prison at Guantánamo be freed as well.

  32. Andy Worthington says...

    Jamal Ajouaou wrote:

    Andy ,May Allah bless you and protect you .

  33. Andy Worthington says...

    Paul Donovan wrote:

    well done andy

  34. Andy Worthington says...

    Cathy Teesdale wrote:

    Yessss! Finally!

  35. Andy Worthington says...

    Rachel Taylor-Beales wrote:

    Brilliant news! How about a photo campaign at midday with selfies saying welcome home Shaker? #WelcomehomeShaker

  36. Andy Worthington says...

    David V Barrett wrote:

    Good to hear you on the 10 o’clock News on Radio 4 this morning, Andy!

  37. Andy Worthington says...

    Javier Rodriguez wrote:

    Brilliant news! All your hard work has finally paid off……….. I can hardly believe it!

  38. Andy Worthington says...

    Carol Loomis wrote:

    Welcome home, Shaker Aamer.

  39. Andy Worthington says...

    Sandrine Ageorges-Skinner wrote:

    SO, SO happy for him and his family!!

  40. Andy Worthington says...

    Sarah Mumford wrote:

    Welcome home!

  41. Andy Worthington says...

    Yusuf Ahmed wrote:

    Andy Worthington you’re a hero – God bless you.

    You have showed the world what one man can do & how one man can fight for justice.

    Finally your hard work has paid off. Since I have known you on Facebook – you have been striving and working hard for the closure of Guantanamo and the release of all innocent detainees.

  42. Andy Worthington says...

    Rosey Prince wrote:

    Brilliant news! xx

  43. Andy Worthington says...

    Jenifer Fenton wrote:

    🙂

  44. Andy Worthington says...

    Ol Si wrote:

    You’ve spearheaded an inspirational campaign, Andy. Thank you for proving change is possible.

  45. Andy Worthington says...

    Laura Lance wrote:

    Beautiful news!

  46. Andy Worthington says...

    Zareen Taj wrote:

    PEACE TO YOU ALL xxx Thanks Andy for everything you have done and continue to do for justice

  47. Andy Worthington says...

    Amy Phillips wrote:

    I’m so happy for Shaker and his family!

  48. Andy Worthington says...

    Natalya Wolf wrote:

    🙂 … finally!

  49. Andy Worthington says...

    Fozia Haque wrote:

    Wonderful happy news. May Allah continue to protect our Br and his family. Ameen.

  50. Andy Worthington says...

    Karen Ronald wrote:

    fantastic joyful news! All the best to Shaker and his family.

    Thank you, Andy, for all you do. The word “tireless” doesn’t begin to describe your vigilance, keen mind and relentless persistence. You – and all those active in this work for so many years – are heroes in my book.

  51. Andy Worthington says...

    Anne McClintock wrote:

    Huge congratulations to you, Andy, and everyone else who never gave up.

  52. Andy Worthington says...

    Clay Gold wrote:

    Congratulations!

  53. Andy Worthington says...

    Dorrine Marshall wrote:

    Bless you Andy for all you have done to save this man’s life!

  54. Andy Worthington says...

    Kevin Wiremu wrote:

    We would hope for massive compensation.

  55. Andy Worthington says...

    Selma B Khan wrote:

    That smile!

  56. Andy Worthington says...

    Kunle Balogun wrote:

    Thanks for the good work Andy Worthington

  57. Andy Worthington says...

    Meena B Sharma wrote:

    Amen..finally free from the clutches of US.

  58. Andy Worthington says...

    Louise Fisher wrote:

    Wonderful news!

  59. Andy Worthington says...

    Beth Bailey-Kingdon wrote:

    Good work and many thanks to all the folks who helped make this happen.

  60. Andy Worthington says...

    Regina Freitag wrote:

    Good for him! The people who were abducted and held by these monsters should make sure to remember the names and faces of their abusers. All of them should be displayed on a website and shamed publicly. maybe worse, because karma is not fond of human rights abusers.

  61. Andy Worthington says...

    So, catching up after a mad day of interviews: Thanks, Susanna, Asif, Muhammad, Saba, Allison, Asim, Sajida, Saleyha, Barbara, Dani, Aleksandra, Sarah, Riene, Sue, Lisa, Jamal, Paul, Cathy, Rachel, David, Javier, Carol, Sandrine, Sarah, Yusuf, Rosey, Jenifer, Ol Si, Laura, Zareen, Amy, Natalya, Fozia, Karen, Anne, Clay, Dorrine, Kevin, Selma, Kunle, Meena, Louise, Beth and Regina. Great to hear from you all.

  62. Andy Worthington says...

    Saher Qadri wrote:

    Finally! ! Very happy today

  63. Andy Worthington says...

    Aisha Aijaz wrote:

    Hats off to you and all who worked tirelessly for justice!

  64. Andy Worthington says...

    Aisha Noor wrote:

    Congratulations Andy your hard work has finally paid off

  65. Andy Worthington says...

    Pauline Kiernan wrote:

    Thank you to the indefatigable Andy Worthington for his tireless fight for justice for Mr Aamer.

  66. Andy Worthington says...

    Colin Finch wrote:

    Wow, amazing. What a relief for him and his family. Well done Andy Worthington and all of your colleagues.

  67. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Pauline and Colin!

  68. Andy Worthington says...

    David Knopfler‎ wrote:

    Shaker Aamer: Last UK Guantanamo Bay detainee released
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34675324
    Seems to be official

  69. Andy Worthington says...

    Yes, absolutely, David. Great to hear from you. Apologies for the lateness of replying. It’s been quite a whirlwind!

  70. Andy Worthington says...

    Willy Bach wrote:

    Shaker Aamer released from Guantanamo, but not much thanks to the feeble voice of the BBC and other British media that could have made a difference.

  71. Andy Worthington says...

    David Knopfler wrote:

    I think the British media did give it coverage. Even the Daily Mail ran a number of pieces but no question his lawyer Stafford-Smith worked tirelessly as did one singular journalist, Andy Worthington. Without their promptings I doubt I’d have known about it.

  72. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Willy, and, again, David. Yes, the media got there in the end. But it did take some time!

  73. Andy Worthington says...

    Jessy Mumpo wrote:

    Thank you for everything you have done Andy, words are not enough to express my gratitude.

  74. Andy Worthington says...

    Sara Hussain wrote:

    InshaAllah Allah huma barik la hu..no other words will suffice.

  75. Andy Worthington says...

    What a day! A pretty horrible media whirlwind for me, mostly, Sara​, but so happy for Shaker and his family!

  76. Andy Worthington says...

    Sarah Gillespie wrote:

    Amazing news! Andy Worthington We Stand With Shaker Good job!! XX

  77. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Sarah. What a long, long struggle it has been. Must be about six years since we first met when you saw my film! A great day for justice, finally!

  78. Andy Worthington says...

    Caroline Wise wrote:

    wow. Andy you and your comrades have moved mountains.

  79. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Caroline. Great to hear from you!

  80. Andy Worthington says...

    Jacquelyne Taylor wrote:

    Finally ..You must be so rapt Andy Worthington massive kudos to you and all those who helped keep the pressure up.
    Such amazing news.
    Jax~

  81. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Jacquelyne​. Yes, an amazing day – for Shaker and justice and campaigning. The media overload was a bit much, though! And tomorrow, they’ll mostly have moved on …

  82. Andy Worthington says...

    Cortney Busch wrote:

    In extremely happy news, Shaker Aamer, the last British resident held in Guantanamo Bay, is coming home to his wife and children today, the youngest of whom he’s never met. It’s been 14 long, tortuous years for Shaker, but he never lost faith or his spirit. Every time I saw him, he could make me laugh and talk about life, politics, and books.
    Words cannot express the joy at hearing this. Wishing the family all the best whilst they get to know each other again and start life as a complete family.
    And huge congrats to everyone who has worked so tirelessly for Shaker’s release: my colleagues at Reprieve, Andy Worthington, We Stand With Shaker, Save Shaker, and so many others.

  83. Andy Worthington says...

    A happy day, Cortney. Hope to see you soon!

  84. Andy Worthington says...

    Ahmad Saeed Iqbal wrote:

    Sir Andy it’s the result of your great efforts and you will have your rewards

  85. Andy Worthington says...

    Thank you, Ahmad. Your support is greatly appreciated.

  86. Andy Worthington says...

    Michael Bentley wrote:

    Huge congratulations to Joanne MacInnes, Andy Worthington and everyone who campaigned so tirelessly to bring this innocent man home to his family. Even I, who have done hardly anything, am overjoyed! I just hope that Shaker will be safely home with his wife and kids later today, and not detained under some ridiculous suspicion of a “threat to national security”. I know that the struggle to close the abomination of Guantanamo goes on, but for Shaker’s release there is truly cause to celebrate! Thank you for everything you do.

  87. Andy Worthington says...

    Ann Alexander wrote:

    Well said, Michael. Every week Shaker’s supporters held a vigil and they deserve all our gratitude. Like you, I hardly did anything yet I am celebrating today.

  88. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Michael and Ann!

  89. Andy Worthington says...

    Maria McAllister‎ wrote:

    Congrat to you and Shaker Andy Worthington. Well done x

  90. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Maria!

  91. Andy Worthington says...

    Lubna ‘Bonnie’ Karim‎ wrote:

    congrats Andy Worthington proud, happy, excited, elated, of you
    You make us believe in Humanity Again. There is still hope in this world
    Regards to Clive and Thank you Shukran Merci

  92. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Lubna!

  93. Andy Worthington says...

    When I posted the article above, I wrote:

    Here’s my response, as the co-director of We Stand With Shaker, to the wonderful news that Shaker Aamer’s plane has touched down at Biggin Hill after his flight back home from ‪Guantanamo‬ and his 14-year ordeal is now at an end. Thanks to everyone who has worked to secure his release – campaigners, MPs, lawyers, the media, and concerned members of the public from around the world. Now let us give him time to heal and rebuild his life!

  94. Andy Worthington says...

    Sue Kinder wrote:

    Well done, Andy, for all your work in helping to make this finally happen.

  95. Andy Worthington says...

    Jez Tucker wrote:

    Congratulations to you and everyone involved Andy, for your ceaseless campaigning and awareness-raising. Great and welcome news at last.

  96. Andy Worthington says...

    Stuart Brown wrote:

    Well done !

  97. Andy Worthington says...

    Alex Snowdon wrote:

    I would also like to congratulate you, and thank you, for all your campaigning. Take a few moments to reflect on and celebrate the achievement, before plunging back into the ongoing campaigning!

  98. Andy Worthington says...

    Dejanka Bryant wrote:

    I do not believe this. Am I dreaming? Is this for real? I congratulate Andy’s efforts and all others involved, by his lawyers, MPs, celebrities and others. What a day!

  99. Andy Worthington says...

    Sue Katz wrote:

    Congratulations on your persistence and dedication and creative campaigning Andy.

  100. Andy Worthington says...

    Nilofar Siddiqui wrote:

    Congratulations and many thanks for your tireless efforts Andy Worthington

  101. Andy Worthington says...

    Neil McKenna wrote:

    Well done Andy.

  102. Andy Worthington says...

    Diana Murtaugh Coleman wrote:

    Oh, happy day. So grateful for your work on this, Andy, day in and day out for many years. Shaker has a long road to recovery, but it begins today.

  103. Andy Worthington says...

    What lovely messages, Sue, Jez, Stuart, Alex, Dejanka, Sue, Nilofar, Neil and Diana. It has been a crazy day on the media front, but emotionally, and in terms of overcoming a huge injustice, a great day! I will try and find some quiet time soon, Alex, though I suspect Joanne needs it more than me. I always take breaks from it all – cycling around London, without a mobile phone, for some time every day. It preserves my sanity – and also helps me come up with songs!

  104. Andy Worthington says...

    Barbara Cummings wrote:

    This is happening in large part b/c of the tireless and passionate work of Andy Worthington. xoxo

  105. Andy Worthington says...

    Ann Alexander wrote:

    I agree Barbara. Andy has been relentless and I’m full of admiration for him.

  106. Andy Worthington says...

    Tony Simpson wrote:

    We stand with Shaker and Andy Worthington!

  107. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Barbara – and Ann and Tony – for the lovely supportive words!

  108. Andy Worthington says...

    When Dejanka Bryant shared my article, Pam Arnold wrote:

    Fantastic news..thank you Andy..and everybody

  109. Andy Worthington says...

    Anna Giddings wrote:

    Great news at last. Well done Andy and all those involved

  110. Andy Worthington says...

    Shahela Begum wrote:

    Thanks to Andy Worthington and others for their endless efforts in trying to secure the release of Shaker Aamer, he is finally released after 14 years of confinement without charge at Guantanamo.

  111. Andy Worthington says...

    Kathleen Kelly wrote:

    NOT COVERED BY THE US MEDIA: Shaker was held in Guantanamo for 14 years without charges or trial. Not long ago, Habeas Corpus, a concept older than the US constitution, would have prevented this outrage. Thanks to the “Patriot” Act, our country is no longer a beacon of human rights. I feel deeply indebted to Andy Worthington, a British Journalist who has written extensively on Guantanamo and who campaigned tirelessly for for Shaker’s release.

  112. Andy Worthington says...

    Thank you, Kathleen, for your kind and supportive words – and your defence of habeas corpus!

  113. Andy Worthington says...

    Shahela Begum‎ wrote:

    Andy you and everyone who works hard to fight for injustice are my heroes.

  114. Andy Worthington says...

    Thank you, Shahela. Much appreciated!

  115. Andy Worthington says...

    Kathleen Kelly‎ wrote:

    Blessings on you! Thank you for your tireless work and for keeping this story in the forefront.

  116. Andy Worthington says...

    Thank you, Kathleen. Wonderful to hear from you.

  117. Andy Worthington says...

    ‎Nayan Bose wrote:

    Congratulations Andy for your tireless pursuit 🙂
    You deserve a tiny vacation now.

  118. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Nayan, for the kind words – and yes, I’ll try and make sure I have a few days off! But, you know, Guantanamo’s still open …

  119. Andy Worthington says...

    Ruth Gilburt wrote:

    Just touched down in UK ourselves around the same time – wonderful news, Andy! Great to catch you briefly to share the relief and cheers 🙂 xx

  120. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Ruth. Yes, great to talk earlier.

  121. Andy Worthington says...

    Benji Ashby wrote:

    EXCELLENT NEWS!!!!! Welcome home Shaker. I would like to give a special mention to Andy Worthington and all of those who worked tirelessly on behalf of Shaker.

  122. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Benji​. Yes, it’s so great when a campaign against a huge injustice works out!

  123. Andy Worthington says...

    Andrew Brel wrote:

    A happy day for everyone involved and especially Andy Worthington. Hope his health recovers after 13 years of torture without charge.

  124. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Andrew!

  125. Andy Worthington says...

    Amatulhaqq Bintibnali wrote:

    Voilà les déclarations de certains parmi ceux qui ont œuvré sans relâche.
    Qu’Allah les récompense abondamment.
    Nos plus grands respects à Andy Worthington, Moazzam Begg, Save Shaker, We Stand With Shaker, et tous les militants…
    D’ailleurs, grande pensée à tous ceux qui se sont tenus sans relâche dans les manifestations pour notre frère, dont l’honorable Dame Patricia Sheerin-Richman.
    https://faqiraatilaarabbinaa.wordpress.com/2015/10/30/shaker-aamer-enfin-libre/

  126. Andy Worthington says...

    Merci beaucoup, Amatulhaqq!

  127. Andy Worthington says...

    Corrie-Anne Felicity Burton‎ wrote:

    Just wanted to say a huge well done to you and the whole teams of people who made Shaker’s release a reality. Just heard his statement on the radio. This is an amazing day!

  128. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Corrie-Anne. Great to hear from you!

  129. Andy Worthington says...

    Anita Gwynn wrote:

    He’s out. With the tireless support and help of Andy Worthington. Hope he is ok.

  130. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Anita. Great news! Crazy day for media overload, but a wonderful day for justice!

  131. Andy Worthington says...

    Tim Holmes wrote:

    A special well done to Andy Worthington and all those working for Aamer’s release for so long. 13 years – no charges, no trial, nothing. Tortured and went on hunger strike; force-fed in captivity (another form of torture); placed in solitary confinement (ditto); denied medical treatment; deprived of the chance to watch his young children grow up. Unspeakable, unimaginable what this man went through. But at least those 13 years are now over.

  132. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Tim!

  133. Andy Worthington says...

    Mathew Rogue Element Sandoval wrote:

    This is incredible news!!! Shaker Aamer, who’d been the last remaining British detainee at Gitmo, has been released! After 13 years of being held without charges or trial this man is now finally free to return to his family. Aamer was instrumental in organizing various forms of resistance at the camp, including numerous long-term hunger strikes. Praise to Aamer’s family and the numerous activists who’ve been unrelenting in demanding his release. Special thanks to journalists Andy Worthington and Jason Leopold for being equally unrelenting in covering this injustice.

  134. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks, Mathew!

  135. Andy Worthington says...

    Sharon Benbow wrote:

    So happy for him and his family.

  136. Andy Worthington says...

    Kris Connolly wrote:

    shared 🙂

  137. Andy Worthington says...

    William Baker wrote:

    Welcome home Shaker!

  138. Andy Worthington says...

    MissRazia Anwar wrote:

    Welcome home

  139. Andy Worthington says...

    Rena Brewin wrote:

    At last. Nobody, but nobody should be incarcerated without a fair trial.

  140. Andy Worthington says...

    Jane Probett wrote:

    Just brilliant news!

  141. Andy Worthington says...

    Mary Francis Galloway wrote:

    Awesome. Now on to Tariq

  142. Andy Worthington says...

    Jennie Tindall wrote:

    Fantastic. Any photos? I’m so happy for him and his family. Thanks for all your dedicated hard work over the years.

  143. Andy Worthington says...

    Denise Allgood wrote:

    Thank you for all your efforts to free him.

  144. Andy Worthington says...

    Helen Roden wrote:

    Fantastic news! Please keep us informed when you can. Would love to know he has seen a doctor and his family, and not been detained for any reason.

  145. Andy Worthington says...

    Thanks for the comments, Sharon, Kris, William, MissRazia, Rena, Jane, Mary, Jennie, Denise and Helen. Great to hear from you all.

  146. After Twenty Three Years, Men Remain In Guantanamo Prison Without Charges - IndieNewsNow says...

    […] administration to honour its promise to release him, which was made on September 25. Shaker was finally freed on October […]

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Andy Worthington

Investigative journalist, author, campaigner, commentator and public speaker. Recognized as an authority on Guantánamo and the “war on terror.” Co-founder, Close Guantánamo and We Stand With Shaker, singer/songwriter (The Four Fathers).
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