Obama must fulfill his Gitmo pledge: Eight years is far too long to make campaign promise of closing prison a reality
9 years, 1 month ago

Obama must fulfill his Gitmo pledge: Eight years is far too long to make campaign promise of closing prison a reality

Salon  

"We're going to close Guantánamo. She explains that Obama "is fully within his executive authority to close Guantánamo without going through Congress, because of that very same power that George W. Bush used to open" it. The president has proffered no public protestations about approving the weekly "Kill List" — known euphemistically as the disposition matrix — and ordering the extrajudicial assassination of people, including U.S. citizens like Anwar al-Awlaki and his 16-year-old son Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, who were never charged with a crime and never saw a trial. Closing Guantánamo certainly will not bring back all of those killed in U.S.-backed wars, but it could be one of the few positive achievements in Obama's foreign policy legacy. Urging Congress to consider his newly proposed plan, Obama said, "given the stakes involved for our security, this plan deserves a fair hearing — even in an election year."

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History of this topic

Biden administration quietly steps up effort to close Guantanamo
2 years, 6 months ago

Biden administration quietly steps up effort to close Guantanamo

Live Mint  

WASHINGTON : The Biden administration is revamping its effort to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, for the first time appointing a senior diplomat to oversee detainee transfers and signaling it won’t interfere with plea negotiations that could resolve the long-stalled prosecution of alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four co-defendants. Congress responded to the Obama administration’s effort to close …

Biden’s low profile on Guantanamo rankles as prison turns 20
3 years, 2 months ago

Biden’s low profile on Guantanamo rankles as prison turns 20

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Advocates for closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center were optimistic when President Joe Biden took office. That has led to increased skepticism about Biden’s approach as the administration completes its first year and the detention center reaches a milestone Tuesday — the 20th anniversary of the first prisoners’ arrival. “President Biden has stated his intention to close Guantanamo …

Why is Guantanamo Bay prison still open 20 years after 9/11?
3 years, 6 months ago

Why is Guantanamo Bay prison still open 20 years after 9/11?

Al Jazeera  

The fate of 39 detainees who are still being held rests with US President Joe Biden, who has pledged to close the prison. In the nearly 20 years since, the notorious military prison at Guantanamo has become a symbol of US human rights abuses. “The fact that the prison remains open 20 years later is because of US partisan politics …

In step to shut Guantanamo, Biden transfers Moroccan home
3 years, 8 months ago

In step to shut Guantanamo, Biden transfers Moroccan home

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration took a step toward its goal of shutting down the Guantánamo Bay detention center for terror suspects Monday, releasing into the custody of his home country a Moroccan who’d been held without charge almost since the U.S. opened the facility 19 years ago. Nasser’s attorney in Morocco, Khalil Idrissi, said the years Nasser spent in …

US Supreme Court to hear Palestinian Guantanamo prisoner’s case
3 years, 11 months ago

US Supreme Court to hear Palestinian Guantanamo prisoner’s case

Al Jazeera  

Abu Zubaydah wants to question two former CIA contractors who allegedly tortured him in Poland. Zubaydah and his lawyer want to question two former CIA contractors, James Mitchell and Bruce Jessen, about the operation of a secret CIA facility in Poland where they say Zubaydah was held and tortured. A Supreme Court document details how Zubaydah was held in various …

Biden will try to close Guantanamo after ‘robust’ review
4 years, 1 month ago

Biden will try to close Guantanamo after ‘robust’ review

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will seek to close the prison on the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay following a review process, resuming a project begun under the Obama administration, the White House said Friday. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said it was the “intention” of the Biden administration to close the detention facility, something President Barack Obama pledged …

White House weighs shutdown of Guantanamo prison
4 years, 1 month ago

White House weighs shutdown of Guantanamo prison

Al Jazeera  

The offshore jail symbolises the excesses of the US ‘war on terror’ because of harsh interrogation methods and torture. The Biden administration has launched a formal review of the future of the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, reviving the Obama-era goal of closing the notorious facility, a White House official said on Friday. Aides involved in internal …

Will Joe Biden close Guantanamo Bay?
4 years, 2 months ago

Will Joe Biden close Guantanamo Bay?

Al Jazeera  

US president-elect once promised to shut down the camp and now he is under pressure to deliver. It has been 19 years since the United States opened the military detention centre at Guantanamo Bay. Amnesty International is now urging President-elect Joe Biden to fulfil a promise he made 10 years ago to close it down. Amnesty’s 62-page report says the …

Donald Trump's Guantanamo
7 years, 1 month ago

Donald Trump's Guantanamo

ABC  

When Donald Trump announced to the world he was keeping the Guantanamo Bay detention centre open, some of the inmates watched it live on the television sets in their cell blocks. "The detainees as a whole are happy to see things in the news about Guantanamo," Colonel Stephen E Gabvacis, commander of the Joint Detention Group, says. "They don't care …

Trump order to keep Guantanamo open ‘sheer stupidity’
7 years, 1 month ago

Trump order to keep Guantanamo open ‘sheer stupidity’

Al Jazeera  

Donald Trump’s decision to keep Guantanamo Bay prison open means dozens of detainees will stay behind bars, lawyer says. “Donald Trump’s a moron if he thinks Guantanamo should remain open because it keeps us more safe or improves our standing in the world,” said Wells Dixon, a staff lawyer at the Center for Constitutional Justice, a US-based legal advocacy group. …

Men due to leave Gitmo under Obama seem stuck under Trump
7 years, 3 months ago

Men due to leave Gitmo under Obama seem stuck under Trump

Associated Press  

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba — Abdellatif Nasser got what he thought was the best news possible in the summer of 2016: One of his lawyers called him at the Guantanamo Bay detention center and told him that the U.S. decided he no longer posed a threat and could go home to Morocco. Obama sought to close the detention center …

'We Should Have Pushed Harder': Obama's Gitmo Czars Reflect On His Failure To Close The Prison
8 years, 2 months ago

'We Should Have Pushed Harder': Obama's Gitmo Czars Reflect On His Failure To Close The Prison

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING On his first day in office, President Barack Obama signed an executive order directing that the Guantanamo Bay prison facility “be closed as soon as practicable, and no later than one year from the date of this order.” The prison camp on the island of Cuba had come to symbolize the abuses of the war on terror. …

Obama: History Will Judge Us For Not Closing Guantanamo
8 years, 2 months ago

Obama: History Will Judge Us For Not Closing Guantanamo

Huff Post  

For 15 years, the United States has detained hundreds of people at the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, a facility that never should have been opened in the first place. Rather than keeping us safer, the detention facility at Guantanamo undermines American national security. Under this rigorous process, we have transferred 196 detainees from Guantanamo with arrangements designed to keep …

Obama v Trump on Guantanamo and torture
8 years, 3 months ago

Obama v Trump on Guantanamo and torture

Al Jazeera  

Andy Worthington is a freelance investigative journalist. With a month to go before the end of the Obama presidency, it is troubling that Guantanamo remains open - but although we must worry what Trump has planned, it must also be acknowledged that Obama should have closed the prison as he promised by That November, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that …

Obama v Trump on Guantanamo and torture
8 years, 3 months ago

Obama v Trump on Guantanamo and torture

Al Jazeera  

Andy Worthington is a freelance investigative journalist. With a month to go before the end of the Obama presidency, it is troubling that Guantanamo remains open - but although we must worry what Trump has planned, it must also be acknowledged that Obama should have closed the prison as he promised by That November, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that …

Never mind closing Guantanamo, Trump might make it bigger
8 years, 4 months ago

Never mind closing Guantanamo, Trump might make it bigger

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Never mind closing Guantanamo. We’re gonna load it up.” He told The Miami Herald in an interview that month that he would support trying U.S. citizens accused of terrorism at the base, though that would require Congress to change federal law and would likely face constitutional challenges. “He knows what’s at stake and he knows he can’t leave …

Guantanamo Bay: Why has Obama failed on his promise to close controversial detention camp?
8 years, 7 months ago

Guantanamo Bay: Why has Obama failed on his promise to close controversial detention camp?

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. While this week has seen the single biggest …

Colin Powell says closing Guantanamo Bay 'in best interest' of the US
9 years, 1 month ago

Colin Powell says closing Guantanamo Bay 'in best interest' of the US

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Colin Powell, former secretary …

Paul Ryan promises to block Obama's plan to close Guantanamo Bay
9 years, 1 month ago

Paul Ryan promises to block Obama's plan to close Guantanamo Bay

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Republicans have promised to …

Obama readies for showdown on Guantanamo closure
9 years, 1 month ago

Obama readies for showdown on Guantanamo closure

Al Jazeera  

President Obama is placing his pieces for his endgame with Congress over closing the controversial detention centre. Ian Moss, from the US State Department’s Office of the Special Envoy for Guantanamo Closure, said diplomats are working hard to “identify responsible opportunities” for transferring those who have been approved for relocation. “The administration continues to work diligently on completing the plan …

Guantanamo Bay: President Barack Obama unveils roadmap to close controversial US military prison
9 years, 1 month ago

Guantanamo Bay: President Barack Obama unveils roadmap to close controversial US military prison

ABC  

US President Barack Obama has presented a long-awaited roadmap to close the controversial military prison at Guantanamo Bay, saying it is time to close a facility that has betrayed US interests and values. Key points: Obama's plan involves deporting, relocating detainees Rights groups say it sets dangerous precedent in justice system 91 prisoners remain in Guantanamo Bay prison With less …

Obama to release long-awaited plan to close Guantanamo prison
9 years, 1 month ago

Obama to release long-awaited plan to close Guantanamo prison

Live Mint  

Washington: The Obama administration aims to send Congress its long-awaited plan for closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay by Tuesday, to meet a deadline imposed by lawmakers after months of delay. The White House downplayed the prospects for implementing the plan even before its release, expressing little confidence that lawmakers would agree to transfer dozens of suspected terrorists from the …

Hurdles ahead as Obama bids to shut Guantanamo prison
9 years, 1 month ago

Hurdles ahead as Obama bids to shut Guantanamo prison

Al Jazeera  

The US president acknowledges tough task but says he is committed to closing detention facility despite opposition. ‘A new ZIP code’ Before Obama’s plan was even public, Republican US Senators Pat Roberts of Kansas, Tim Scott of South Carolina and Cory Gardner of Colorado voiced opposition to any notion that prisoners would be sent to the mainland US – “regardless …

Guantanamo Bay closure: Obama sends plan to Congress
9 years, 1 month ago

Guantanamo Bay closure: Obama sends plan to Congress

Al Jazeera  

US president says closing the military prison will protect national security, but opponents declare plan a non-starter. US President Barack Obama has proposed to “once and for all” close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay and transfer remaining detainees to a facility in the US – though his plan did not specify where. US officials have previously said the plan …

What to expect from Obama’s plan to close Guantanamo
9 years, 2 months ago

What to expect from Obama’s plan to close Guantanamo

Al Jazeera  

We are starting to hear leaks about the US President Barack Obama’s latest effort to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. ‘Recruiting tool for terrorists’ The president will make the argument that the prison serves as a recruiting tool for organisations the US labels as “terrorist organisations”. He said: “There’s a certain other group of individuals who are not …

Why Obama has not closed Guantanamo
9 years, 2 months ago

Why Obama has not closed Guantanamo

Al Jazeera  

Two days after he was sworn in as president, Obama signed an executive order for a review of the cases of all detainees. The US administration has not explained how they would get around US law – something it has been able to do in Guantanamo Bay. ecretary of defense to personally certify to Congress that a released detainee “cannot …

President Obama Is Preparing A Plan To Close Guantanamo Bay
9 years, 2 months ago

President Obama Is Preparing A Plan To Close Guantanamo Bay

Huff Post  

WASHINGTON, Jan 10 - President Barack Obama will make good on a promise to close the U.S. naval prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, his chief of staff Denis McDonough said on "Fox News Sunday." Obama will first present a long-awaited plan to Congress about how to close the facility, and seek its approval, McDonough said in an interview. Obama pledged …

Barack Obama 'feels obligated' to make good on Guantanamo pledge
9 years, 2 months ago

Barack Obama 'feels obligated' to make good on Guantanamo pledge

Daily Mail  

President Barack Obama will make good on a promise to close the U.S. naval prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, his chief of staff Denis McDonough said on 'Fox News Sunday.' Obama will first present a long-awaited plan to Congress about how to close the facility, and seek its approval, McDonough said in an interview. Scroll down for video White House …

Obama’s limited options for closing Guantanamo prison
9 years, 4 months ago

Obama’s limited options for closing Guantanamo prison

Al Jazeera  

The White House is signaling that any day now it will release a new plan for closing the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said on Thursday not to expect any major plot twists when its long awaited review is released. Congress Obama could present a plan for closing the prison by releasing the prisoners …

Supporters Urge Obama To Take Executive Action To Close Guantanamo
9 years, 4 months ago

Supporters Urge Obama To Take Executive Action To Close Guantanamo

NPR  

Supporters Urge Obama To Take Executive Action To Close Guantanamo President Obama is expected to send Congress a plan soon for how to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. DAVID WELNA, BYLINE: Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell taunted President Obama yesterday just before the Senate overwhelmingly passed yet another bill blocking the commander in chief from moving Guantanamo detainees …

Obama to launch new effort to close Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba
9 years, 4 months ago

Obama to launch new effort to close Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba

LA Times  

President Obama plans to a lay out a proposal to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, above, as early as this week, aides say. “But if Congress continues to refuse, I wouldn’t rule out the president using every element of his authority to make progress.” Obama has shown a willingness to act where Congress has been gridlocked. Though their …

Guantanamo Bay closure: White House says plans to close detention camp are in final stages
9 years, 8 months ago

Guantanamo Bay closure: White House says plans to close detention camp are in final stages

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The White House has …

White House says drafting plan to close Guantanamo Bay prison
9 years, 8 months ago

White House says drafting plan to close Guantanamo Bay prison

Live Mint  

Washington: The White House said on Wednesday it was in the final stages of drafting a plan to close the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the widely criticized detention centre for foreign terrorism suspects. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the administration hoped to “short circuit” opposition from Republicans in Congress who have blocked President Barack Obama from …

Congress deals big setback to Obama's effort to close Guantánamo
10 years, 3 months ago

Congress deals big setback to Obama's effort to close Guantánamo

Salon  

It's now been almost six years since President Obama vowed to close the U.S. detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, within one year, but the U.S. has yet to shutter the facility. Democratic Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, the retiring chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters yesterday that language authorizing the transfer of detainees to other facilities …

The quagmire of Guantanamo
11 years, 9 months ago

The quagmire of Guantanamo

Al Jazeera  

As President Obama appoints an official to edge the closing of the facility, we ask if any real progress is being made. ”Cliff by ”PJ has two challenges: one is obviously to see what can be done to resettle the detainees and to see whether there is an effective rehabilitation programme in place to accept them – but largely his …

Obama unsure what to do about Guantanamo
11 years, 9 months ago

Obama unsure what to do about Guantanamo

Al Jazeera  

US President said the prison is “contrary to who we are” but concrete plans to close the facility remain unclear. “You’re holding a large number of people from countries with poor human rights records, who come from countries with severe security difficulties and we have a complete unwillingness to take anybody back in the United States for resettlement.” Guantanamo Bay …

President Obama to make new effort to close Guantanamo Bay after mass hunger strike
11 years, 10 months ago

President Obama to make new effort to close Guantanamo Bay after mass hunger strike

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. …

Obama renews push for closing Guantanamo
11 years, 10 months ago

Obama renews push for closing Guantanamo

Al Jazeera  

US president says he will make fresh appeal to Congress as nearly two-thirds of Guantanamo detainees join hunger strike. It is a recruiting tool for extremists.” Medical reinforcements Obama says the jail is costly, inefficient, lessons global co-operation and is used as a recruiting tool by extremists About 40 US Navy medical personnel arrived over the weekend, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel …

Obama renews pledge to close Guantanamo
11 years, 10 months ago

Obama renews pledge to close Guantanamo

ABC  

United States president Barack Obama has promised to make another attempt to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, amid a growing hunger strike at the detention facility. Calling the prison a legal "no man's land", Mr Obama says it is damaging to the US to keep holding prisoners in legal limbo there. Having repeatedly vowed to close the camp during …

Protesters demand Obama close Guantanamo Bay prison
11 years, 11 months ago

Protesters demand Obama close Guantanamo Bay prison

Raw Story  

Rights activists across the United States held a series of protests on Thursday demanding the closure of Guantanamo Bay as a hunger-strike at the jail entered a third month. In a day of action aimed at drawing attention to the plight of prisoners at the facility, demonstrators -- many wearing orange jumpsuits famously worn by Guantanamo inmates -- demanded US …

Former CIA Chief: Obama's War on Terror Same as Bush's, But With More Killing
12 years, 6 months ago

Former CIA Chief: Obama's War on Terror Same as Bush's, But With More Killing

Wired  

President Barack Obama has closely followed the policy of his predecessor, President George W. Bush, when it comes to tactics used in the “war on terror” — from rendition, targeted killings, state secrets, Guantanamo Bay to domestic spying, according to Michael Hayden, Bush’s former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. He also publicly criticized the …

Roadblocks May Keep Guantanamo Prison Open
15 years, 1 month ago

Roadblocks May Keep Guantanamo Prison Open

NPR  

Roadblocks May Keep Guantanamo Prison Open Enlarge this image toggle caption Brennan Linsley/AP Brennan Linsley/AP Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill, senators staged a photo op the White House had hoped not to see: Republicans and Democrats stood shoulder to shoulder to announce their opposition to trying alleged Sept. 11 plotters in civilian courts. The proposed legislation is co- Sponsor Message …

Obama addresses efforts to close Guantanamo-英语点津
15 years, 10 months ago

Obama addresses efforts to close Guantanamo-英语点津

China Daily  

Download President Barack Obama is speaking about his efforts to close the U.S. military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where some terror suspects are held. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs had said President Obama would discuss, among other things, the steps needed to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. They also warn that terrorists who cannot be convicted …

Obama sets 1-year Guantanamo closure deadline
16 years, 2 months ago

Obama sets 1-year Guantanamo closure deadline

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Barack Obama today …

Obama Orders Guantanamo Bay Prison Closure
16 years, 2 months ago

Obama Orders Guantanamo Bay Prison Closure

NPR  

Obama Orders Guantanamo Bay Prison Closure On Day 2 of his presidency, Barack Obama continued to unravel the tapestry of policies woven by former President George W. Bush over the past eight years. Tackling initiatives that can be reversed with the stroke of a presidential pen, Obama turned his attention Thursday to national security matters, signing executive orders designed to …

Obama Faces Conundrum In Closing Guantanamo
16 years, 2 months ago

Obama Faces Conundrum In Closing Guantanamo

NPR  

Obama Faces Conundrum In Closing Guantanamo Memo To The President In this occasional series, NPR follows the transition to a new administration through a series of stories, conversations, commentaries and essays that outline the issues and challenges facing the new president. The prisons would also need to have the same types of facilities as there are at Guantanamo Bay, she …

Obama 'will close Guantanamo Bay'
16 years, 4 months ago

Obama 'will close Guantanamo Bay'

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In his first major …

Closing Detention Center Easier Said Than Done
16 years, 4 months ago

Closing Detention Center Easier Said Than Done

NPR  

Closing Detention Center Easier Said Than Done One of the initiatives President-elect Barack Obama discussed during his campaign was closing the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. ARI SHAPIRO, Host: Another longstanding legal issue involving the military is the fate of the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. NORTHAM: Now that he's President-elect Obama, he's been more careful …

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