Closure of Guantanamo a major step forward
Amnesty International's Secretary General Irene Khan today called President Barack Obama's executive order to close the Guantanamo detention facility "a major step forward" and a "welcome sign that the new administration is willing to right the wrongs of the past."
"This is clearly an important step in the right direction. Speed and specifics are now of the essence - the trial or release of these 240-plus detainee cases is already years overdue," said Irene Khan.
"By prioritising the closure of Guantanamo in his first 48 hours in office, President Obama is sending an important message to the rest of the world that the USA is now closing a dark chapter in its history," said Irene Khan.
The signed executive order states that the detention facility "shall be closed as soon as practicable, and no later than one year from the date of this order," said Irene Khan.
Amnesty International said that the reference to "as soon as practicable" should be interpreted and applied with urgency, noting that detainees who have not been charged should already have been released years ago.
"The USA dedicated substantial resources to this ill-judged exercise right from the start and throughout its seven-year operation. It should now dedicate the necessary resources and effort to bring it to a speedy and lawful closure," stated Irene Khan.
"We also welcome the US President's moves to ban torture and ill-treatment. Accountability for these gross violations of human rights must be vigorously pursued," said Amnesty International Australia's Katie Wood.
"We were one of the first organisations to call for the closure of Guantanamo. Amnesty International supporters in Australia and around the world have campaigned persistently for the US to place human rights and the rule of law at the centre of their policies and practices in the so-called ‘war on terror'," said Katie Wood.
"The campaign run by Amnesty International and other human rights organisations over the past few years has borne fruit. We look to the Obama Administration to continue to give urgent action to right the many wrongs that were committed over the past seven years in the name of fighting terrorism," said Irene Khan.
Comments
georgiaaa | Posted on 3 February 2009, 08:59PM | Report comment
The military commission which ‘terrorists’ were set to face, and their treatment at Guantanamo Bay both failed to comply with international human rights standards.
Finally something has been done !
Naomi Cartledge | Posted on 30 January 2009, 06:46PM | Report comment
President Obama also said that the CIA prisons in Europe and other places (Afghanistan,on board US ships at sea etc)must also close. About time, I agree. It was a disgraceful part of America’s history. There’s an interesting book called American Torture, which traces US history of torturing from at least after WW2 until recently. Let’s hope it finally ends. The US should also stop having military, CIA etc in IRaqi detention centres including Abu Graib! The Howard govt in Australia knew about these practices, and lied to the people. 2 Australian citizens, Moumduh Habib and David Hicks were detained at Gittmo; David Hicks for over 6 yrs,and Habib for nearly 3?Both claimed to be tortured; Habib was sent to Egypt,tortured with the Govt’s knowledge,although they denied it at the time!Bush/Blair and Howard should be charged with war crimes, otherwise justice will remain a joke. They lost all credibility, and shamed us all!
Daniel Trotman | Posted on 29 January 2009, 02:03PM | Report comment
It is good to hear someone is finally doing something about the detention center. this has gone on too long.