Portraits of Life in Guantánamo: A Window into the Lives of Wartime Prisoners

Strategic Insights -

Despite a ban on media access, a collection of portraits, taken by American soldiers and International Committee of the Red Cross representatives, offers a glimpse into the lives of the last 15 U.S. wartime prisoners at Guantánamo Bay. These photographs, which began in 2009, are part of a Red Cross program that allows detainees to communicate with their families through letters and cards. The prisoners, many of whom have spent over two decades in detention, voluntarily pose for the photographs, which are then reviewed by the military for security concerns before being sent to their loved ones.

Key Takeaways:

  • 15 U.S. wartime prisoners remain at Guantánamo Bay.
  • The Red Cross program, which began in 2009, allows detainees to communicate with their families through letters and cards.
  • Over 169 prisoners have had at least one photo taken and sent to their families.
  • The portraits provide proof of life, especially for prisoners who spent years at secret C.I.A. sites overseas.
  • Military photographers, including videographers, have taken photos and videos for the prisoners' relatives, using cells as makeshift studios.
  • Prisoners are often shackled during photo sessions, despite claims of a brave face.
  • Notable prisoners, such as Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and Abu Zubaydah, have been photographed wearing civilian clothes and traditional attire.

Statistics:

  • Over 780 men and boys have been held at Guantánamo Bay in the war against terrorism since 2002.
  • Just 5% of those held earlier were never charged with crimes.
  • The prison held about 240 men in 2009, when the Red Cross initiative began.
  • By 2024, military photographers had already begun taking photos.
  • Abu Zubaydah was the first person to be waterboarded by the C.I.A. and has never been charged with a crime.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, "Portraits of Life in Guantánamo"
  • European Pressphoto Agency, "Relatives of Muhammad Rahim in Kabul, Afghanistan"
  • The International Committee of the Red Cross, official website
  • The U.S. Department of Defense, official website