Remembering My Friend Emad Hassan, Who Should Never Have Been in Guantanamo

Edited by Spencer Ackerman

Spencer here for a quick word before today's piece. I spoke with CAGE International's Mansoor Adayfi over the weekend for yesterday's edition about Oman evicting the Yemeni survivors of Guantanamo it had hosted since 2015. Mansoor mentioned Emad Hassan's death, and told me that he had written a remembrance of Emad. I immediately offered to publish it. FOREVER WARS is proud to bring you the story of a forgotten man whose life and recent death symbolizes how America will never pay for the crimes it committed in the War on Terror. I'm equally proud to publish Mansoor, himself a former Guantanamo detainee. Mansoor has done more than nearly anyone else to make sure that we do not forget that Guantanamo Bay is still operational, nor do we forget the grim legacy it continues to project onto those who are no longer caged inside.

Because of the solemnity of the piece, I'm not going to insert my typical plugs to buy my stuff. But producing this newsletter is expensive, so please buy a subscription so we can bring you journalism that mainstream outlets will either marginalize or simply not publish.

IMAGINE LIVING IN A WORLD where every move is under scrutiny – where the pursuit of freedom is met with unending suffering and abuse. This was the harsh reality for Emad Hassan, a former Guantánamo prisoner whose life was defined by deep pain and unwavering resilience. His story is not only about his personal struggle but also a mirror of the broader plight of many former Guantánamo prisoners who, even after their release, continue to fight the lingering shadows of their past.

Born in Yemen, Emad Hassan lived part of his life in the town of Al-Qaidah, a name that would tragically lead to a disastrous misunderstanding. Known for his gentle and kind nature, Hassan had a deep passion for learning and helping others. In the summer of 2001, he traveled to Pakistan to pursue higher education, driven by a desire for knowledge and a brighter future. However, in the spring of the following year, Pakistani authorities raided the house he shared with 14 other foreign students, arresting them all. After enduring two months of brutal beatings and interrogation, Hassan was handed over to the U.S. military.

Hassan soon found himself in front of a young, inexperienced American interrogator at what he later learned was at a U.S. military prison in Kandahar. Confused and terrified, he was asked if he was part of "Al-Qaeda." The translator, speaking in a broken Arabic, asked him, "Are you from Al-Qaeda?" Misunderstanding the question, Hassan replied, "Yes," thinking they were referring to his hometown, Al-Qaidah. This innocent mistake led to a grave misunderstanding. The interrogators, believing they had obtained a confession, wrongly labeled him as a member of a militant organization. Hassan later recalled thinking, "I thought the Americans knew everything, as I grew up to believe." Fellow detainees would sometimes mockingly refer to him as "Al-Qaeda man," a cruel reminder of the error that had ensnared him.

Emad Hassan’s death last week marked a tragic end to a life filled with suffering and struggle. His health, already fragile due to years of torture, force-feeding, and medical negligence in Guantánamo, had been steadily deteriorating. The abuse he endured left him with severe kidney damage, requiring dialysis four to five times a week. Earlier this year, his condition worsened, leading to a four-month coma. When he was finally taken to the hospital for emergency surgery, the doctors determined that his body was too weak to endure the procedure. His kidney function had declined to just 20 percent, leaving him in a critical state. 

Despite their efforts, Emad's body could not withstand the strain, and he tragically passed away, his death a final chapter in a life marked by unimaginable suffering. Emad’s story is a powerful testament to the enduring impact of torture and the long road to recovery faced by many former Guantánamo detainees. His journey from Guantánamo’s shadows to his untimely death highlights broader issues of justice, human rights, and the urgent need for comprehensive support for those who have endured such profound trauma.

A Brother in Chains

I first met Emad within the confines of Guantánamo Bay, a place where the very essence of humanity is relentlessly tested and crushed. His ordeal began when he was sold by the Pakistani government to the U.S. military, who then flew him to Guantánamo in 2002 along with a group of Yemeni students studying in Pakistan. Emad quickly became known for his resilience, participating in every hunger strike to protest the indefinite detention and inhumane conditions he faced. From 2005 onward, he endured forced feeding—a brutal procedure that he was subjected to over 5,000 times over the course of more than eight years. This process, which involved restraining him and forcefully inserting a tube up his nostrils to pump liquid nourishment into his stomach, was not only physically excruciating but also a form of psychological torture designed to break his will. I remember Emad once telling me, "Every time they put that tube in my nose, I felt like I was dying all over again. But I held on because I knew that if I gave up, they would have won." Human rights experts have likened the procedure to waterboarding, and it left Emad with severe long-term health issues.

Despite these harsh conditions, Emad became a symbol of hope and resilience within Guantánamo. He transformed his cell into a sanctuary of learning and spirituality, teaching fellow detainees and some guards about Islam and the Holy Quran. His knowledge and compassion made him a pillar of strength for those around him. His efforts were not just acts of defiance but also acts of human dignity, providing a semblance of normalcy in an otherwise dehumanizing environment. At times, he served as a block leader, managing prisoners’ issues and advocating for their rights. This leadership made him a target for the camp administration, but he persisted in his mission, driven by a deep belief in the power of knowledge and faith.

Hopes Dashed in Oman

In 2009, a glimmer of hope appeared when President Obama’s Guantánamo Review Task Force cleared Emad for release. However, the legal and political complexities surrounding Guantánamo meant that Emad remained imprisoned for several more years, trapped by bureaucratic delays and shifting policies. The legal entanglements that kept Emad in Guantánamo for years after being cleared for release were not unique to his case. Many detainees found themselves in a similar limbo, trapped by a web of shifting policies, international diplomatic challenges, and a legal system that seemed unable to address the human rights violations taking place. Finally, in 2015, he was resettled in Oman—a development that brought both relief and new challenges.

The transition to Oman was bittersweet. While Emad was no longer confined to Guantánamo’s harsh conditions, the reality of his new life was far from ideal. Oman provided him with necessities and treated him with respect, but he encountered significant obstacles. He was denied the opportunity to complete his education, a dream he had cherished for years. The absence of a rehabilitation or integration program left him struggling to adapt to a new society. His legal status in Oman remained precarious, leaving him in a state of constant uncertainty.

Despite better conditions than in Guantánamo, Emad’s health began to deteriorate. Years of torture and abuse had left lasting physical scars, and his overall well-being was fragile. The stress and anxiety of his uncertain legal status compounded his health problems. Omani officials even pressured him to work in a factory, a job he couldn’t manage due to his declining health.

Emad's lawyer, Alka Pradhan, commented on his death, stating, "Given his horrific situation, and despite the abuse he suffered, Emad was a shining light at Guantanamo. He was gentle, kind, unfailingly polite, even when all you could give was bad news. The best news was when we were told that he was finally free in Oman, where he could see his loved ones again. The worst news was today, and especially knowing that the U.S. abuse undoubtedly played a terrible role in his untimely departure." This underscores the brutal and dehumanizing conditions Emad endured.

A Life Cut Short

The looming threat of deportation to Yemen cast a long shadow over his newfound freedom. Yemen, torn by civil war, represented not only a return to instability but also a place where he would be unable to access the healthcare he desperately needed. Emad required dialysis at least four or five times a week. The thought of returning to a war-torn country without adequate medical care filled him with fear.

Earlier this year, the Omani government informed the 28 Yemeni former Guantánamo prisoners that they were no longer welcome to stay, giving them until mid-August to leave voluntarily or face a life of hardship. Without residency, they would be deprived of essential services: no access to healthcare, no housing, no work permits, and no educational opportunities for their children. The situation was further exacerbated when the Omani government began by refusing to renew residency permits for the children, marking the beginning of severe restrictions on their lives and futures.

This news shocked the former detainees, who had been assured that Oman would be their new home. Faced with little choice, 26 of the men and their families returned to Yemen after being pressured by the Omani government, which offered each $70,000 as compensation.

The news of his impending deportation was a devastating blow for Emad. The uncertainty, coupled with his declining health, proved too much for him to bear.

A Call for Urgent Intervention and the Tragic Consequences of Neglect

The CAGE International team reached out to both the U.S. State Department and the Omani government regarding the plight of former Guantánamo detainees in Oman, including Emad Hassan. CAGE sought urgent intervention and support to address the conditions and uncertainties faced by these individuals. Despite their persistent efforts, they received no response from either party. This lack of engagement underscored a troubling disregard for the former detainees' situations and highlighted the need for greater accountability and support from both governments in addressing human rights concerns and providing necessary assistance.

A Family Left Behind

Emad Hassan's death has left a profound void in the lives of his surviving family. He is survived by his wife and two young daughters, who now face a future without his presence and support. His passing has not only deprived them of a husband and father but has cast them into a challenging and uncertain future. With Emad gone, his wife must now navigate the complexities of life alone while raising their daughters, who are left without the guiding, loving hand of their father. Their grief highlights the personal toll of Emad's suffering and the deep impact of his loss on his family's well-being.

Reflecting on Emad’s life

Reflecting on Emad’s life, it becomes clear that his struggle was not only against the physical confines of Guantánamo but also against a system that failed to recognize his humanity. His story serves as a stark reminder of the lasting consequences of injustice and the profound need for compassion and support for those who have endured unimaginable hardships. As we remember Emad, we must also acknowledge the many others who continue to live in the shadows, their voices unheard, and their pain unrecognized. Emad’s legacy should inspire us to advocate for a world where justice prevails, and no one is forgotten. The international community, governments, and ordinary citizens alike must work to ensure that such injustices are never repeated. We must advocate for accountability, the protection of human rights, and support for those who have endured unimaginable suffering. Only then can we hope to honor Emad’s legacy and build a world where justice prevails.

Guantanamo 2.0

Emad was not the first former Guantánamo prisoner to die as a result of abuse and being deprived of proper healthcare; there have been several other tragic cases as well. Former Guantánamo prisoners continue to face a myriad of injustices and challenges long after their release. Many are haunted by the lingering trauma of years spent in detention and torture, and their suffering often persists in other countries. Nor are the legal entanglements that kept Emad in Guantánamo for years after being cleared for release unique to his case. Many detainees found themselves in a similar limbo, trapped by a web of shifting policies, international diplomatic challenges, and a legal system that seemed unable to address the human rights violations taking place. 

In Saudi Arabia, for instance, some former detainees remain missing, while others have been sentenced to death. Meanwhile, many confront the threat of deportation or live without legal status, leaving them vulnerable and without recourse. The stripping of citizenship has rendered some stateless, exacerbating their precarious situation. Restrictions on movement and ongoing surveillance further compound their difficulties. 

This ongoing plight has led some former prisoners to label their circumstances as "Guantánamo 2.0," reflecting a troubling continuation of human rights abuses and systemic neglect that perpetuate their suffering and deny them the justice and dignity they desperately need. As we remember Emad, we must also acknowledge the many others who continue to live in the shadows, their voices unheard, and their pain unrecognized. Emad’s legacy should inspire us to advocate for a world where justice prevails, and no one is forgotten.

Mansoor Adayfi is a writer, advocate, and former Guantánamo prisoner. He is the author of Don't Forget Us Here and Letters from Guantánamo. Mansoor currently serves as the Guantánamo Project Coordinator for CAGE, where he continues to work on behalf of those affected by unjust detention and human rights abuses.