The US authorities declared all of these prisoners innocent in 2004 and 2005. Despite their innocence, the US has steadfastly refused to accept their release within its own boundaries. On the other hand, the US will not return them to China where it is certain that they will face persecution. For a crash course on the situation of the Chinese Uighurs, who are Muslim, see here.
The Uighurs at Guantanamo are among several cases where improperly imprisoned individuals have been literally in limbo for years because of similar impasses. The Center for Constitutional Rights responds to a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about this situation generally here.
Several of the Uighur prisoners have already been repatriated to third countries such as Albania, Bermuda and Palau. At least one in Palau has since received financial assistance for medical treatment from Amnesty International USA. His story is devastating. Swissinfo reports that one of those initially sent to Albania has since sought, and received, asylum in Sweden. The same report mentions that the Swiss have been strongly pressured by the Chinese authorities not to accept these refugees.
Despite this external pressure, the canton of Jura confirmed yesterday to the Swiss federal government in Bern that it is willing to accept the two Uighurs. Thus, the Swiss Justice Minister, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, announced today that the Federal Council had agreed to grant asylum.
It's been a very harsh, long and winding road for these two men. But the Swiss "Promised Land" is now within reach. May they be able to rebuild their lives and become productive citizens of their new country!
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