January 11, 2016 – On the 14th anniversary of the opening of the Guantánamo Bay detention facility, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan E. Méndez has joined other independent UN Human Rights Experts and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in calling for the facility’s closure. In an open letter to the United States government, the experts again reiterated their call for the closure of Guantánamo Bay and the need for “the United States [to] . . . clean up its own house – impunity only generates more abuses, as States do not feel compelled to stop engaging in illegal practices.” The experts further stated that “[t]he United States must demonstrate leadership and commitment to ensure that international law principles are upheld.” The experts urged the Government to end impunity for violations of human rights and humanitarian law committed during the so-called “global war on terror” and investigate and prosecute those responsible. To read the full press release, please visit the OHCHR website.