Hillary Clinton

Premier Ewart Brown received a letter of thanks on behalf of Bermuda for agreeing to resettle four Uighurs from US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

In the letter, Secretary Clinton wrote: "I hope that your courageous action will inspire others to step forward and join us in the ongoing effort to close Guantánamo Bay Detention Center. Indeed, Bermuda's leadership significantly advanced that effort."

The decision to receive the four Uighurs has led to conflict both locally and internationally as neither the British Government nor Cabinet was consulted in advance.

Three marches were held in protest of Dr. Brown's handling of the Guantánamo Bay affair and the United Bermuda Party led a vote of no confidence, which failed in the House of Assembly.

The British Government is also reviewing the general entrustment agreement it has had with the Island since 1968.

The entrustment deal allows Bermuda's leaders to negotiate with other countries on certain matters without asking for permission from Britain on every occasion.

The Premier's decision has, however been praised by many US figures, including President Barack Obama and human rights organisations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

"The international community has responded overwhelmingly in favour of Bermudians humanitarian decision," said Dr. Brown in a press release. "I note Italy, Portugal and member states of the European Union have all announced plans to do as we have done in Bermuda. Clearly being small does not mean we cannot lead."

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