Yunus Rahmatullah
Yunus Rahmatullah | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 27, 1982 Pakistan |
| Occupation | Detainee |
| Known for | Detention by British and US forces without trial |
Yunus Rahmatullah (born 27 October 1982) is a Pakistani national who was detained by British troops in Iraq in 2004 and later transferred to a US-operated prison in Afghanistan. He remained in custody for more than seven years without any formal charges or trial.
The legal aid organization Reprieve characterized his case as a "legal black hole," highlighting the fact that he was denied contact with both his family and legal representatives.
Fatima, Rahmatullah's mother, made a public plea to the British Government seeking clarity on her son's whereabouts. She stressed her entitlement to information regarding his status and called on officials to disclose their role in his detention.
Petition for release in Pakistani judiciary
Following seven years of confinement, Rahmatullah's relatives filed a petition with the Lahore Court in Pakistan, demanding his prompt release. Cori Crider, Legal Director at Reprieve, underscored the urgency of obtaining explanations about the extended detention of seven Pakistani nationals at Bagram, including a minor aged 14. She urged authorities to clarify why these individuals had not been returned to Pakistan.
Legal action in United Kingdom courts
On 14 December 2011, the Court of Appeal, consisting of the Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger, Lord Justice Maurice Kay, and Lord Justice Sullivan, issued a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of Rahmatullah. The judges determined that since British forces apprehended him in Iraq, the UK judicial system held responsibility over his detention. Lord Neuberger remarked that there was a compelling argument for the UK government’s international duty to request Rahmatullah’s repatriation and for the US government to comply.
The court declared his detention unlawful and instructed the British government to pursue his release by 18 January 2012. This ruling represented a landmark legal decision that criticized the conduct of the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence concerning detainees held in Iraq and Afghanistan.