From the Blog

When We Torture
"If the Bush administration appointed an Undersecretary of State for Antagonizing the Islamic World, with advice from a Blue Ribbon Commission for Sullying America's Image, it couldn't have done a more systematic job of discrediting our reputation around the globe," says Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times.

Hamad Continues to Fight for Justice
"We don't want animosity, we just want to respect America again," says Hamad, speaking in English phrases he learned while in prison. "The American conscience and the American people need to return to the great concepts established by the Founding Fathers, of freedom, democracy, equality, and justice. All these values and even the justice system are being shaken, played with."

Video from Adel Hamad's Homecoming
Seeing Adel Hamad reunited with his 6 year old daughter, a girl born just a few months before Hamad's imprisonment, is priceless.

Report from Hamad's Home
“I thank God almighty and express my gratefulness to you. I can finally
see the light after the darkness.”

Breaking News: Adel Hamad is Back in Sudan!
Over two years after being cleared for transfer, Adel Hamad has finally arrived in Khartoum and was immediately released and allowed to reunite with his family.

Write Your Representatives

Here is some sample text to use. Copy this, then use the form below to contact your congressperson.

Select all text below, copy, then scroll to the form below.

Dear [Your Congressperson],

I am writing to express my concern about the detention of Adel Hamad at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.    Mr. Hamad, like many of his fellow detainees, has never been accused of a belligerent act against the United States, yet has remained behind bars for 5 years without the right to defend himself before a judge.

It concerns me that a man who has dedicated his life to charitable works-- teaching language classes to orphans,  working in hospital administration,  buying food, medicine and blankets for refugees—a man described by his colleagues as a dedicated family man, an apolitical man, could continue to sit behind bars indefinitely and without recourse.

Unfortunately, Mr Hamad's case does not appear to be unique.  According to the Defense Department's own reports, the majority of detainees have committed no act against the U.S. government or its allies, and only 8% could be considered involved with Al Qaeda.  But even if far less were innocent, even if only 20% or 10% were innocent, wouldn't we as Americans want to find out who these people are, give them a chance to speak before a federally appointed judge, and be released to their families and friends?

Now, with the passage of the 2006 Military Commission Act,  it is nearly impossible for people like Mr. Hamad to have their case heard.   Never before in U.S. history has habeas corpus been eliminated entirely.    This does not bode well for America's future.  Thomas Jefferson put it well when he said:  "Freedom of the person under the protection of habeas corpus I deem [one of the] essential principles of our government."

I've also learned that Adel Hamad was cleared for transfer over two years ago. However he was never cleared of 'enemy combatant' status, despite never being formally charged, and this will affect his 
ability to travel for the rest of his life. Please re-open his case.

As one of your constituents and a concerned citizen I implore you to acquaint yourself with Adel Hamad's case, and to do what you can to reunite him and other innocent detainees with their families.    As my elected representative  I ask you to revisit the Military Commission Act, and to restore the writ of habeas corpus, a vital safeguard against unfettered Executive power.

For more information about Adel Hamad's situation you can visit www.projecthamad.org

Sincerely,

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Both of the following forms will direct you to other sites that will facilitate your contacting congress. If you'd like to try other means, have a look at www.eff.org/congress which has an excellent primer for effective ways to contact congress.

Contact Your Senators or the President

Contact your state representative

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