Religious leaders from many faiths have united in their support for The Argus campaign to secure justice for Guantanamo detainee Omar Deghayes. Representatives of different church groups and faith organisations across Brighton and Hove are unanimous in their condemnation of Mr Deghayes' continued captivity in breach of international law.

Mr Deghayes, a 36-year-old law graduate from Saltdean, has been imprisoned in solitary confinement in Camp Delta for more than three years without being charged for a crime. He is currently in his seventh week of a hunger strike in protest at conditions in the jail and it is feared he could die within days.

He claims, like scores of other prisoners, to have suffered savage beatings, mental torture, physical hardship, humiliation and religious abuse at the hands of American guards. The Argus is demanding that the British Government intervene and put pressure on the US to charge Mr Deghayes and put him on trial or let him go.

Father David Foley, of the St John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church,said: "It is absolutely appalling that a country that calls itself civilised could treat people in such a way as Omar.

"Not giving people their human dignity is a crime in itself and to lock people up indefinitely without giving them a trial is even worse."

Bonnie Evans-Hills, of the Diocese of Chichester, the Church of England authority in Sussex, said: "I wholeheartedly support The Argus campaign to raise awareness about Omar.

"We hope and pray for swift and just resolution of his case. "The Bishop of Chichester has written to the Home Secretary on Mr Deghayes' behalf."

Sabri Ben-Ameur, chairman of the Brighton and Hove Muslim Forum, said: "We are so grateful for all the hard work The Argus has been doing for Omar's campaign. "Every single one of more than 5,000 Muslims in Brighton and Hove are behind this cause."

Kate Dyer, of the Brighton Quakers, said: "We are absolutely delighted with what The Argus is doing.

"As soon as people find out about Omar's situation, they want to help and your campaign will get that message out to a much wider audience.

"Peace and justice are the central tenets of the Quaker faith and Omar's plight is something we feel very strongly about. "I offer The Argus my full support in its campaign."

Cynthia Park, minister at the Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, said: "Omar's situation and the situation of all the Guantanamo detainees is absolutely appalling.

"The British Government should not be tolerating this in a civilised world. "The Argus campaign is wonderful and we wholeheartedly support it."

Visit the campaign's site at www.save-omar.org.uk for information about local activities and protests and background to Mr Deghayes' case.

Alternatively, visit the Amnesty International site at www.amnesty.org.uk and enter Omar Deghayes into the search facility, then click on the link labelled Guantanamo case: Omar Deghayes. Add your voice to the campaign and fill in the coupon online or email your support to news@theargus.co.uk We will deliver all of your messages to Home Secretary Charles Clarke.