Kate Hudson's Blog

Shaker Aamer is a victim of George Bush's criminal 'war on terror'. He remains imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay, despite being cleared for release in 2007. It is now eight years since the first prisoners were taken to the base, and Shaker - a British resident - was one of the earliest detainees.

Shaker himself has suffered torture and abuse since his capture in January 2002. But the suffering inflicted on Shaker has had much wider consequences. His family - his British wife and four young children - have had a terrible time and his wife has been very ill as a result. His entire family are themselves innocent victims of the 'war on terror'.

In fact, Shaker was one of the five Guantanamo detainees for whom Foreign Secretary David Miliband sought release in 2006. The other four have now been released but the US is holding back on Shaker. The question is, why is there a hold up? The most likely reason is that he is being further punished for speaking up on behalf of the prisoners in Guantanamo, seeking treatment in line with the Geneva Conventions.

Today I went with other campaigners to Downing Street, together with Johina Aamer, Shaker's twelve year old daughter. The message she left for Mr Brown was simple: she wants her father to come home. Shaker Aamer has got to be released. There is no evidence that he has committed any crime. The US has to let him go. They have to end the suffering they are inflicting on him and his family. I hope our government will redouble its efforts to secure his release. His family must be reunited.