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Last Guantanamo Brit's plea
The last British prisoner being held at Guantanamo Bay has spoken from his cell for the first time. Shaker Aamer, who has been detained for 11 years 2002 without charge, told CBS' 60 Minutes show "act with us like a human being, not like slaves."
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Shaker Aamer's pleas heard at Guantanamo Bay
The last British prisoner being held at Guantanamo Bay has spoken from his prison cell for the first time.
As CBS cameras were shown around the military prison, Shaker Aamer is heard saying: "Tell the world the truth ... Please, we are tired. Either you leave us to die in peace - or either tell the world the truth. Open up the place. Let the world come and visit. Let the world hear what's happening."
Listen to Aamer speaking from his cell at 2 minutes 43 seconds:
Lawyer: Shaker Aamer has nothing to hide
Clive Stafford Smith, Shaker Aamer's lawyer and Reprieve's director, told CBS his client has agreed to whatever conditions the British government want to put on him if he was released, "because he has nothing to hide".
He said: "What I have said and what Shaker has said for years is that if you have got an allegations against him, put up or shut up."
Commenting on why Aamer is still being held despite being cleared to leave, he said: "I think it is a fascinating question and I would love a little more transparency.
"I wish someone official would give me an explanation and they won't. No one will say why they won't let him go."
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Shaker Aamer case remains 'high priority' for UK Govt
Earlier this year, Prime Minister David Cameron raised Shaker Aamer's case with President Barack Obama at a G8 summit and the British government has repeatedly stated that it wants him returned to the UK.
Despite having British residency and a British wife and four children living in Battersea, London, US authorities have repeatedly threatened to send him back to Saudi Arabia, his birthplace, against his wishes.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "Mr Aamer's case remains a high priority for the UK government and we continue to make clear to the US that we want him released and returned to the UK as a matter of urgency.
He added: "Any decision regarding Mr Aamer's release ultimately remains in the hands of the United States government. We continue to monitor Mr Aamer's welfare through engagement with the US authorities."
Guantanamo's last Briton speaks for the first time
The last British prisoner being held at Guantanamo Bay has spoken from his prison cell for the first time.
Shaker Aamer, who has been detained at the US military prison for 11 years told CBS's 60 Minutes show those being held there are treated like animals.
Shouting from his cell he said: "Tell the world the truth ... Please, we are tired. Either you leave us to die in peace - or either tell the world the truth. Open up the place. Let the world come and visit. Let the world hear what's happening.
"Please colonel, act with us like a human being, not like slaves."
He added: "You cannot walk even half a metre without being chained. Is that a human being? That's the treatment of an animal...It is very sad what is happening in this place."
Aamer, one of 164 prisoners at Guantanamo, has been held since 2002 without charge and is accused of being a close associate of Osama bin Laden, which he denies.