FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2015

Contact: Samantha Friedman, West End Strategy Team - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Cell: 202-215-9260

NDAA’s Restrictions on Guantanamo Transfers Denounced by Interfaith Human Rights Group
National Religious Campaign Against Torture responds to NDAA passed by the House

WASHINGTON – In response to the House of Representatives’ passage today of a National Defense Authorization Act that includes draconian restrictions on transferring cleared detainees out of Guantanamo Bay, Matt Hawthorne, Policy Director at the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, released the following statement:

“The Guantanamo provisions in the House bill are an attempt to block nearly all transfers out of Guantanamo and to ensure that the prison there remains open forever. Our government complains that the government of Cuba violates human rights – and yet it runs a prison on the island of Cuba where it tortured prisoners and continues to hold them without charge or trial – years after they were cleared for release. Rather than giving in to partisan politics and unreasonable fears, Congress should act to speed up transfers out of Guantanamo and to close forever that tragic symbol of torture and detention without trial.”

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is a membership organization committed to ending U.S.-sponsored torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Since its formation in January 2006, more than 300 religious organizations have joined NRCAT, including representatives from the Catholic, evangelical Christian, mainline Protestant, Unitarian Universalist, Quaker, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Baha’i, Buddhist, and Sikh communities. Members include national denominations and faith groups, regional organizations and local congregations.
NRCAT.org     @NRCATtweets     facebook.com/nrcat

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