Detainee Transfer Announced
March 01, 2007

The Department of Defense announced today that it transferred two detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Afghanistan and three detainees to Tajikistan. These detainees were all recommended for transfer by multiple review board processes conducted at Guantanamo Bay.

With today’s transfer, more detainees have been released or transferred than remain in Guantanamo. This transfer is a demonstration of the fact that the United States does not desire to hold detainees for any longer than necessary. It also underscores that the United States has put in place processes to assess each individual and make a determination about whether they may be released or transferred during the course of ongoing hostilities – an unprecedented step in the history of warfare.

Approximately 85 detainees remain at Guantanamo who the U.S. government has determined eligible for transfer or release through a comprehensive series of review processes. Departure of these remaining detainees approved for transfer or release is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations. Transfers are not without risk. A determination about the continued detention or transfer of a detainee is based on the best information and evidence available at the time, both classified and unclassified.

Since 2002, approximately 390 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, and Yemen.

Approximately 385 detainees remain at Guantanamo.