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Journalism of Courage
Obamas renewed vow to shut down the detention camp is reassuring
Four years after he promised to close the detention centre in Guantanamo Bay,Cuba,where 166 inmates are currently being held indefinitely,US President Barack Obama reaffirmed his commitment to seeing his campaign promise through. In response to questions about a hunger strike at the facility earlier this week 100 inmates are on strike Obama reiterated that keeping Guantanamo open is not necessary to keep America safe. It is expensive and inefficient. Yet,years of inaction have rendered this new push less credible.
Of the other 80 detainees,46 are designated for indefinite detention as they were deemed too dangerous to be released,even though the administration had little admissible evidence against them to prosecute or even charge them. Indeed,few of the inmates have been charged with any crime. Only six,including Khalid Mohammed,the alleged mastermind of 9/11,are to face a military tribunal. As a place where people are unlawfully detained without trial or even without being charged,Guantanamo is a shadowy chapter in Americas so-called war against terror. Obama must re-engage Congress,but he can begin to deliver on his promise by exercising his authority to transfer those 86 detainees right away.
