Send your message to Obama calling for Guantanamo’s closure - your messages can be sent to campaign@amnesty.org.nz.

Hold Obama to his message of change - Close Guantanamo

We'll attach all of your messages to orange jumpsuits which we’ll send to Mr Obama urging his administration to bring to an end the Bush-administration's seven-year assault on human rights in the 'war on terror' by:

• announcing the timeline to close Guantanamo
• issuing an executive order to ban torture and other ill-treatment of prisoners
• opening an independent inquiry into the USA's detention and interrogation practices in its "war on terror"

Mr Obama's election signals a new era of change in America - and an unprecedented opportunity to ensure from his very first days in office that human rights are at the heart of his administration.

Below are messages from people around New Zealand calling for the closure of Guantanamo Bay - a prison that's become a symbol of an infamous chapter in U.S. history.

Write your message to Mr Obama to ensure the world's opinion on this issue is heard clearly and resoundingly - Guantanamo must be closed!

Click here to read Amnesty International's recent press release.

Click here for a full copy of Amnesty International's checklist to close Guantanamo (sent to Barack Obama).

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Messages for change

Mr Obama, Your election is a cause for joy across the world. Your effort in working to restore Americans' pride in their country is a great gift not only to them, but to everyone who looks to the United States for leadership. The words we have heard you speak have touched us all: we look now to your country with new hope. Please, make this the time at which past wrongs are righted. Close the detention camp in Guantanamo Bay.

- Virginia Sutherland, Dunedin

Obama, you promised change. Change from the George W. Bush way of doing things. Now I ask that you go through with your promise because the world needs it. Part of that change should be the closure of Guantanamo Bay. Torture is not tolerated in your country. So why should it be endorsed in a place run by the US government?

- Gemma Lane

I can't think of a more symbolic or humanatarian move to show the world this truly is a new presidency committed to REAL change.

- Barry Hawkins

Dear Mr President-elect, You have given the world hope that America will once again be the leader of the free world.

I urge you to close the detention facility at Guantanamo and ban the use of torture and ill-treatment. Your words are uplifting and inspiring – let your actions be the same.

- Derek Murie

Close down the Detention Centre of Guantanamo Bay! You can't fight terrorism by being terrorists!

- Christie O'Connor