The Human Cost of Guantánamo Bay: In conversation with Mohamedou Ould Salahi and Nancy Hollander
The Bridge Initiative invites you to a conversation on the life story of Mohamedou Ould Slahi, author of the NY Times best-selling memoir “Guantánamo Diary”, detailing his world tour of terror at the hands of the United States government. Slahi spent over 14 years at the Guantanamo Bay Military prison, endured indescribable torture, and was never charged with a crime. His story is now being shared in the new motion picture, “The Mauritanian.” Our event will feature Slahi alongside his criminal defense lawyer who won his release, Nancy Hollander (played by Jodie Foster in the movie), describing the human cost of Guantánamo.
Iguanas on Guantanamo are a protected species, and harming one results in a fine of $10,000. Yet, prison detainees— all Muslim men and boys— are considered U.S. property, with no rights to be tried under the U.S. legal system or treatment as Prisoners of War under the Geneva Conventions. Guantánamo has become synonymous with images of Muslim men blindfolded and shackled, paraded in fluorescent orange jumpsuits, and consistently labeled “terrorists,” “monsters,” “the worst of the worst.” In addition to torture, rampant violation of dignity, and a court system where detainees are presumed guilty until proven innocent, the material cost of keeping the prison operational stands at $380 million per year.
The Bridge Initiative’s latest resource: The Guantánamo Bay Data Project