Another Powerful American Leader Expresses Support
The Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Bennie Thompson, has joined his colleagues, President Obama and international humanitarian organisations in praise of Premier Brown and his leadership. Rep. Thompson also spoke of the safe integration of the Uighurs into Albanian society after they were released in 2006. Congressman Thompson:
I would like to express my admiration for the courage you and your country have demonstrated in accepting the four Chinese Uighur prisoners released from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Clearly the eyes of America and the world will be focused on Bermuda, and as Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, I too have an interest in observing the integration of the Uighurs into Bermudian society.
The U.S. Government has been seeking a place to relocate the Uighurs, cleared for release after they were found not to be enemy combatants. Therefore, your acceptance of the Uighurs should be considered a strong humanitarian gesture that reflects well on the Bermudian people, the Government, and you as Premier.
We must be mindful that President Barack Obama stated just this week that, “our efforts to close Guantanamo is very important”. Bermuda's acceptance of the Uighurs is key to assisting the President in this important effort.
Fortunately for Bermuda, there is already a record of successful integration of Uigurs after being cleared and resettled into other countries. I understand five former Uighur companions of these men were released to Albania in 2006, with one being recently granted asylum in Sweden. All five have lived peacefully in civilian populations for more than three years.
Bermuda has done a great service, and in that context, and for that reason, I share the gratitude of the American people; and join those across the world who have commended Bermuda for this humanitarian act.
