Swiss take two Uighurs from Guantanamo, despite China - Summary

Geneva - Switzerland will accept two Uighur detainees currently being held at the US military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Swiss government announced Wednesday. The two Uighur brothers - members of a Muslim minority in China - would be housed in Canton Jura, in the Alpine land's north-west, said a statement from the Federal Council, or cabinet.

US State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said the US was grateful to the Swiss for the "humanitarian gesture and for its consistent support of our efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility."

China had pressed the Swiss to not accept the prisoners, though the canton (state) had expressed willingness to accept the two. Beijing has called the two a security threat, and sees Uighur separatist inclinations as a risk.

Swiss authorities said they discussed the matter with the Uighur brothers prior to making the decision. A security assessment was also conducted.

Last month, Geneva, in Switzerland's south-west, took in an Uzbek detainee who was held at the US military base.

Switzerland, which considers the Guantanamo jail a violation of international law, has said it would help the US shut down the center by taking in some detainees.

US President Barack Obama has said he remains committed to close the controversial facility, despite missing a self-imposed deadline of January 22.

There are still about 190 detainees left at Guantanamo.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/307400,swiss-take-two-uighurs-from-guantanamo-despite-china--summary.html.