Organisations & Support Networks
The fight to close Guantánamo Bay and to support those affected by it is global, diverse, and ongoing. Legal advocacy groups, human rights organisations, survivor support networks, and frontline lawyers have worked tirelessly for over two decades to expose abuses, secure releases, provide aftercare, and push for accountability. This section highlights some of the most active and effective organisations engaged in this work.
These groups provide legal aid, financial assistance, public education, policy advocacy, and mental health support to current and former detainees and their families. Whether you’re looking to donate, volunteer, get legal advice, or learn more, the organisations listed below are vital pillars in the movement to end indefinite detention and seek justice.
Human Rights Organisations
▶ Amnesty International
A global human rights movement with over 10 million members, Amnesty International has been at the forefront of international campaigns to close Guantánamo. They publish investigative reports, pressure governments through lobbying and public petitions, and centre the voices of former detainees in their advocacy. Amnesty has consistently called for an end to indefinite detention, accountability for torture, and fair trials for all remaining prisoners.
🔗 Visit Amnesty International – Guantánamo Campaign
▶ Human Rights Watch (HRW)
HRW has conducted some of the most comprehensive investigations into detainee abuse, torture, and legal violations at Guantánamo. Their research is frequently cited in legal proceedings and UN reports. HRW continues to monitor ongoing detentions, publish survivor interviews, and press U.S. officials to close the prison in accordance with international human rights obligations.
🔗 Visit Human Rights Watch – Guantánamo Coverage
▶ Reprieve
A UK-based legal action NGO, Reprieve, provides direct legal representation to individuals imprisoned in Guantánamo and other sites of arbitrary detention. They have helped secure the release of dozens of detainees and advocate for justice through litigation, storytelling, and public engagement. Reprieve also runs post-release support programs to assist detainees reintegrating into society.
🔗 Visit Reprieve – Guantánamo Cases
Legal Support & Survivor Assistance
▶ Centre for Constitutional Rights (CCR)
CCR has been one of the most active legal organisations challenging the legality of Guantánamo since its inception. They have led historic habeas corpus cases (including Boumediene v. Bush), filed lawsuits against torture architects, and continue to represent detainees in U.S. courts. CCR also publishes detailed legal resources and offers training for human rights lawyers.
🔗 Visit CCR – Guantánamo Project
▶ CAGE
Founded by former detainees and civil rights advocates in the UK, CAGE works to support survivors of the War on Terror, particularly those imprisoned at Guantánamo or under UK counter-terrorism laws. Their work combines research, media engagement, and survivor storytelling, helping challenge Islamophobia, surveillance, and institutionalised injustice. CAGE also provides legal advocacy and reintegration support for former prisoners.
▶ Guantánamo Survivors Fund
An initiative created to provide emergency financial aid, housing support, medical assistance, and mental health care for former Guantánamo detainees and their families. Many men released from the prison were sent to third countries where they face surveillance, employment bans, and social stigma. This fund helps bridge the humanitarian gap left by governments.
🔗 Visit Guantánamo Survivors Fund
▶ Witness to Guantánamo Project
This oral history archive documents the experiences of over 150 individuals connected to Guantánamo, including former detainees, guards, lawyers, medical staff, and family members. Through video testimonies and public education, the project seeks to ensure that the stories of those impacted by Guantánamo are preserved and heard globally.
▶ Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)
PHR has played a critical role in exposing the use of medical professionals in torture and developing psychological support protocols for survivors. Their work includes documentation of force-feeding, psychological trauma, and ethical violations by military and CIA doctors. They continue to advocate for an end to medical complicity in human rights abuses.
🔗 Visit PHR – Guantánamo and Torture Resources
Want to Get Involved?
Donate to support legal or humanitarian aid for survivors
Host a local screening or educational event
Invite a former detainee or legal advocate to speak at your university, law firm, or organisation
Share resources and survivor stories to raise awareness