Lawyers Demand Release of Chinese Muslims (Guantanamo Bay)

Attorneys for a group of Chinese Muslims held for nearly five years in the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, filed suit yesterday, asking that the men be released immediately and alleging that they have been held as part of a political deal between the United States and China.

Citing new laws that allow detainees to challenge their status as "enemy combatants," the lawyers argue that their seven clients -- ethnic Uighurs (pronounced wee-gurs) -- have never taken up arms against the United States or its allies. They contend that the men have been labeled wrongfully as terrorist suspects because they oppose the Communist Chinese government.

In a 58-page filing at the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the lawyers argue that the Uighurs have been held since early 2002 as a way to win Chinese acquiescence for the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

The lawyers -- Sabin Willett and Susan Baker Manning -- allege in the court documents that their clients' detention was one of several demands the Chinese government solicited in mid-2002 as the United States was seeking global support for toppling Saddam Hussein.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/04/AR2006120401191.html

It truly makes Israel's treatment of the Palestinians look very tame.

the US has contacted the Chinese embassy concerning repatriating the Uighurs ASAP, even though this is against the US's better judgement. I'm sure China won't mind taking them back in the least, since they're Chinese citizens.

At the time, tell the lawyers that should harm resulting from their request for repatriation ensue, it will be held against them: they will be considered to have not had their clients' best interests at heart, and full documentation will go to the bars in the states where they're licensed.

If the Chinese do not take them back, however, the Uighurs should be released into the lawyers' custody (with the lawyers as their sponsors for residency in the US) and given shelter in the same neighborhoods as their lawyers. I'm sure the lawyers wouldn't mind sponsoring them. And, as strangers, the Uighurs would need a support network of some sort, and the people that know them best are their lawyers.

Of course, sponsorship entails responsibility in case the immigrants violate the law or run up debts. But since the Uighurs are good, solid folk, this shouldn't be a concern.

you're trying to make but as I read and re-read your post a couple of more times I figured that you have no point to make.

Do you suggest that they be held in Gitmo until they tip over?