Justice For Dad Campaign Now A Film

10.59.07am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 20th Nov 2007

Sarah Teather MP visiting Downing Street with the children of Jamil el-Banna

Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather's work to have her constituent released from Guantánamo Bay has been made into a film.

Amnesty International's 'Justice for Dad' film will be shown in schools across the country. The first instalment, featuring Sarah, has been made available on YouTube.

The film shows Sarah working for Jamil and the el-Banna family in Westminster. She is seen at one of the last Prime Minister's Questions with Tony Blair, questioning the former Prime Minister on the Government's involvement with Jamil's capture and continued imprisonment.

Jamil el-Banna has been illegally imprisoned in Guantánamo Bay for nearly five years, although the US Government have now cleared him for release. After an intensive campaign by Sarah, local journalists and national pressure groups, the British Government agreed to accept Jamil back to Brent when America finally lets him go.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"Not only is Guantánamo Bay a recruiting sergeant for terrorism, it also has a devastating personal impact on those who have loved ones held in the camp. Jamil's young family miss him tremendously, and just want their Dad home as soon as possible.

"There is no excuse to lock people up without trial, charge or hope. If the men in Guantánamo have done something wrong they should be brought to answer for their actions before a judge. If not, they should be released.

"As long as Jamil remains in Guantánamo Bay I will continue to campaign on behalf of his family and friends here in Brent. The Justice For Dad film shows that politics can make a difference. I hope the film will bring more attention to Jamil's sad case, so we can bring him home sooner rather than later."

Notes:

(1) The Amnesty International Film "Justice For Dad" can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx6PvlA6Hqc

(2) Prime Minister's Questions, 25th April 2007:

Sarah Teather (Brent, East) (LD): My constituent, Jamil el-Banna, has been held in Guantanamo Bay for more than four years without charge, without trial and without hope. The British Government claim that they cannot intervene on behalf of a non-British citizen because they have no consular locus. Does not the return of Bisher al-Rawi entirely undermine that position?

The Prime Minister: No, I do not agree. It is important that we do not take on responsibility for people in those circumstances who are not British citizens. Although we have made clear our desire to see Guantanamo close and to make sure that the people there are subject to a proper trial, it is also always important to remember that there have been real issues about them and their conduct over a period of time. The hon. Lady should remember that this arose from 11 September and Afghanistan, so I am afraid that I cannot give her the assurance she wants.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2007-04-25b.929.12&s=guantanamo+speaker%3A11350#g940.0