release their relative, whom they firmly believe to be innocent, or provide evidence of their guilt and try them in a court of law. 97 Those few family members from Pakistan who have participated in DRB hearings as telephone witnesses have little regard for the DRB process. Yusuf, a farmer in Punjab, testified before Malik’s— his brother—DRB in 2010. He was asked questions about Malik’s character and whereabouts. After completing his testimony Yusuf says he was told by the U.S. translator that the U.S. government had no objection to sending his brother back—and the family was hopeful for his return. Yet after three years, Yusuf and his family have heard nothing from the U.S. military. Yusuf’s initial hope for his brother’s return and pride in the role he believed he had played in securing it, turned into a bitter sense of betrayal. “[The United States] lied to us and told us he is coming back,” Yusuf told JPP interviewers. 98 Pirzada, a university professor in Punjab and the brother of current detainee Mustafa was contacted by the U.S. military in September 2012. He was asked to answer a number of questions regarding his brother’s whereabouts and character. After participating as a witness, Pirzada rejected the purported impartiality and independence of the DRB. To him the DRB is “[the U.S. military’s] own court with their own lawyers and their own judges,” According to Pirzada. 99 Though he was provided with numbers for the Detainee Assistance Center (DAC) where detainees’ family members can provide information and request to be a witness before the DRB, “I didn’t believe it [calling the DAC] would serve any purpose or have any impact,” he said. 100 Although several family members demonstrated some familiarity with the DRB process, the reality is that most families know absolutely nothing about the review process, how it works and what function it serves. The testimony of family members of a detainee can, however, be crucial to his case. By vouching for the character of the detainee or indicating to the DRB that the detainee will be looked after and provided with employment upon return, relatives of current detainees could help sway the DRB’s recommendation from continued internment to transfer or release. But even if families trusted the system enough to participate, they are often unaware of how to do so. According to Gul Nawaz, whose brother has been in detention since 2005, neither he nor anyone else in his family has ever heard about what happens at the DRB. “We know nothing about his DRB hearings. No one has told us anything.” 101 For many Pakistani families, perhaps even more problematic, is that neither the Pakistani nor the U.S. government has informed them how detainees are repatriated or released. Family members interviewed knew little to nothing about the repatriation process or the status of negotiations often the most critical step in resolving Pakistani detainees’ cases. “I do not know anything about the process,” said Ali, whose brother has been in detention for six years. “I do think there is some sort of process. Why would they [the Pakistani government] have asked for nationality documents otherwise?” 102 Muddassir, whose nephew has been in detention since 2002, likewise protested that 97 Justice Project Pakistan interviews with relatives of current detainees (names, dates, locations withheld). Justice Project Pakistan interview with Yusuf, January 2013 (real name, location withheld). 99 Justice Project Pakistan interview with Pirzada, March 2013 (real name, location withheld). 100 Ibid. 101 Justice Project Pakistan interview with Gul Nawaz, December 2012 (real name, location withheld). 102 Justice Project Pakistan interview with Ali, April 2013 (real name, location withheld). 98 28