International human rights organisations have praised Bermuda for accepting four refugees released from Guantánamo Bay.

Human Rights Watch described the move as an important humanitarian gesture while Amnesty International urged the United Bermuda Party not to use the Chinese Muslims as political pawns.

Stacy Sullivan, counterterrorism advisor at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement: "By stepping up to the plate to resettle a group of men who were wrongfully detained at Guantánamo, the Bermudian Government has set a welcome example.

"The people of Bermuda should be proud that their Government is helping the Uighurs start new lives."

Human Rights Watch called for the United States to work with Bermuda to ensure that the men's families are allowed to join them, and that they are provided with reintegration assistance, including housing, job training, and medical care, if needed.

It also urged Washington to leave open the possibility that the men could be resettled in the US in the future, and called on European nations to make good on promises to help resettle additional Guantánamo detainees who cannot be sent to their home countries.

"By helping to close down one of the most searing symbols of the Bush administration's abusive 'war on terror' policies, Bermuda has good reason to be proud," said Ms Sullivan.

An Amnesty International press release stated: "Amnesty International welcomes Bermuda's acceptance of these four men, as it brings an end to their unlawful detention and offers them the chance to begin to rebuild their lives.

"It calls on all parties with interest or influence over this situation not to jeopardise the human rights of these men or their ability to get on with their future, until now put on hold."

Reflecting on the UBP's motion of no confidence in Dr. Brown, the release stated: "Whilst the leader of the UBP has stated that the vote is not 'just about Uighurs in Bermuda', Amnesty International is concerned that the Uighurs are being used as political pawns, something that has also occurred inside the USA.

"Human rights must transcend party politics. Justice for the Uighur detainees is years overdue.

"Their right to remedy has been denied them for too long. Bermuda has offered the beginnings of remedy for these four men.

"It is incumbent on all parties to ensure that neither diplomatic friction nor domestic party politics — whether in the USA, Bermuda, or elsewhere — interfere with the ability of the men to rebuild their lives peacefully and with all the support mechanisms they need to adapt to life after Guantánamo."