Malaysia Welcomes Home Two Guantanamo Detainees After 18 Years of Detention

Two Malaysian nationals, Mohammed Farik bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep, have returned to Malaysia after being detained for 18 years at the United States military prison in Guantanamo Bay. The transfer marks another step in efforts to reduce the detainee population at the controversial facility.

Malaysia’s Inspector General of Police, Razarudin Husain, confirmed the arrival of the two men, stating they were in “good and healthy condition” and have been joyfully reunited with their families. Husain also announced plans for the men to undergo a “comprehensive rehabilitation” program and societal reintegration process, underscoring the belief that, as he put it, “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

Farik and Nazir had been detained in connection with the 2002 Bali bombings, which claimed over 200 lives. Both had reportedly provided crucial testimony against Hambali, a key figure accused of orchestrating the bombings. Hambali remains in Guantanamo custody, with pre-trial hearings scheduled to resume in January 2025.

The Pentagon acknowledged the men's cooperation during their detention, noting that their testimony was instrumental in building the case against Hambali.

Guantanamo Bay, established in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks, once held nearly 800 detainees. Today, that number has dropped to 27. The recent transfers, including that of Kenyan detainee Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu earlier this year, reflect ongoing efforts to reduce the prison’s population. Bajabu, who spent 17 years at Guantanamo without charge, was repatriated to Kenya in June.

However, challenges remain. Of the 27 remaining detainees, 15 have been cleared for release, some for more than a decade, yet continue to be held without trial or charges.

Amnesty International has repeatedly criticized the existence and operations of Guantanamo Bay, calling it a “glaring, longstanding stain” on the United States' human rights record. Following the latest transfers, Amnesty’s Daphne Eviatar urged the Biden administration to act swiftly to close the facility.

“President Biden must transfer these men before he leaves office,” she said, emphasizing the need to end indefinite detention without charge or trial.

Despite international condemnation, Guantanamo continues to serve as a contentious symbol of post-9/11 counterterrorism measures, with detainees subjected to allegations of torture, extended detention without due process, and inadequate legal recourse.

The reduction in Guantanamo’s detainee population signals progress toward its potential closure, a promise made by multiple U.S. administrations yet unrealized. The facility’s history of human rights violations, coupled with mounting global pressure, underscores the urgency of resolving the status of the remaining detainees.

For Malaysia, the return of Farik and Nazir offers an opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration, reflecting a commitment to balancing justice with humanitarian principles. Their release also serves as a reminder of the enduring challenges associated with Guantanamo Bay and its impact on global perceptions of U.S. human rights policies.