Uyghurs in Albania: UNPO Treasurer meets former Guantanamo Detainees in Tirana
On 11 May 2010, thanks to the good offices of the Italian Embassy in Albania, UNPO Treasurer Sen. Marco Perduca met with three Uyghurs in Tirana, all of whom are former Guantanamo detainees.
In 2006, Albania generously decided to host four Uyghurs who had been released from Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, including Mr. Abu Bekker Quassim, Mr. Ahtar and Mr. Ahmad. Sen. Perduca utilized the meeting with these three Uyghurs to discuss their situation and gain a better understanding of their needs.
Albania must be praised for offering a home to former detainees in light of the significant risk that sending them back to China would expose them to persecution and human rights abuses. The reluctance of other countries to offer refuge to detainees goes towards explaining the delay in closing the controversial detainment facility of the United States which has been operating in Cuba since 2002.
The meeting between Sen. Perduca and the Uyghur refugees has made it obvious that they still face various troubles concerning travel documentation as well as obstacles to accessing health care and social assistance. The impacts are of grave concern as these individuals face difficulties in finding reasonable employment and payment, and thus struggle to maintain a subsistence level. The possibility to travel is particularly important for them in order to be able to meet relatives and look for possible alternatives to their current situation.
As a reaction to this information and his observations, Sen. Perduca has sent Letters of Appeal to the Major of Tirana Mr. Edi Rama and the Minister of the Interior Mr. Lulzim Basha, urging them to instruct their offices to help these Uyghurs in attaining an acceptable standard of living. In support of this mission, UNPO urges the government of Albania to assist these Uyghur refugees in supporting their needs.
UNPO appeals to the Government of Albania to take notice of the situation and take efforts to support the well-being of four former Guantanamo Bay Detainees from East Turkestan, currently refugees to Albania.
Note to Editors
UNPO Treasurer Sen. Marco Perduca is a member of the Italian Senate, member of the Nonviolent Radical Party the Nonviolent Radical Party, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, member of the Special Committee on Human Rights and an active advocate for Human Rights.
For more information on the story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/17/AR2006111700613.html
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/02/25-7
Albania must be praised for offering a home to former detainees in light of the significant risk that sending them back to China would expose them to persecution and human rights abuses. The reluctance of other countries to offer refuge to detainees goes towards explaining the delay in closing the controversial detainment facility of the United States which has been operating in Cuba since 2002.
The meeting between Sen. Perduca and the Uyghur refugees has made it obvious that they still face various troubles concerning travel documentation as well as obstacles to accessing health care and social assistance. The impacts are of grave concern as these individuals face difficulties in finding reasonable employment and payment, and thus struggle to maintain a subsistence level. The possibility to travel is particularly important for them in order to be able to meet relatives and look for possible alternatives to their current situation.
As a reaction to this information and his observations, Sen. Perduca has sent Letters of Appeal to the Major of Tirana Mr. Edi Rama and the Minister of the Interior Mr. Lulzim Basha, urging them to instruct their offices to help these Uyghurs in attaining an acceptable standard of living. In support of this mission, UNPO urges the government of Albania to assist these Uyghur refugees in supporting their needs.
UNPO appeals to the Government of Albania to take notice of the situation and take efforts to support the well-being of four former Guantanamo Bay Detainees from East Turkestan, currently refugees to Albania.
Note to Editors
UNPO Treasurer Sen. Marco Perduca is a member of the Italian Senate, member of the Nonviolent Radical Party the Nonviolent Radical Party, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, member of the Special Committee on Human Rights and an active advocate for Human Rights.
For more information on the story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/17/AR2006111700613.html
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/02/25-7
