“I intend to close Guantanamo, and I will follow through on that. I have said repeatedly that America doesn’t torture. And I’m gonna make sure that we don’t torture. Those are part and parcel of an effort to regain America’s moral stature in the world.”
Barack Obama
(On CBS 60 Minutes, November 16, 2008)
It was one of his first future plans: Closing the US. military prison at Guantanamo Bay! After 2 months of his administration he mentioned it would be “a challenge” to close it even within the first 100 days ..and now Mr.Obama?
In January he celebrated his first anniversary as President-elect and Guantanamo Bay isn´t closed until today! (about 250 prisoners still there)
But, what are the main problems with closing the prison Mr. Obama?
1. Closing Guantanamo involves sending the detainees either to their home country or bringing them to the United States for prosecution. However the US-citizens strictly refuse to open their gate “for Al-Quaeda terrorists” as many Americans say. (great pressure from the US-citizens to Obama)
2. But if it would be the case that the native countries will take them back, many of those countries couldn´t offer sufficient safety precaution which increases a potential jailbreaks level (great burden for undeveloped countries; great risk in general)
Nevertheless ”Guantanamo” is a
synonym for torture for all of us and not only the
human rights groups have called for its closure.
Opponents say the methods used there are illegal,
immoral, and harmful to America’s image!
It remains an ambivalent discussion about closing the prison but for now – as I always evaluate Obama´s decisions by highlighting the topic ”CHANGE” - I asked myself:
Could we really speak of CHANGE concerning “Guantanamo” Mr. Obama? Isn´t it nothing more than hot air but nothing happens in reality?
In my opinion, it isn´t!
Obama brought CHANGE to America and the entire world concerning “Guantanamo”! ..why do I think so?
-> Generally President Obama - and I want you to recognize that just that makes a difference to the Bush administration - admits publicly the truth of inhuman cirumstances in the prison of Guantanamo. The Obama administration definitely wants to avoid criticisms that have marked the Bush administration’s military commissions.
-> Furthermore the plan of closing could require the creation of a new legal system, a new valuation of human rights, and that not only within America
-> Ok, definitely we have to face problems by closing the prison but nevertheless Obama FACES those problems and makes an effort in finding solutions
-> In contast to the Bush administration, Barack Obama tries to solve the “problem of Guantanamo” in collaboration with other countries and continents to work together “for a better world” at the Guantanamo Bay
Howdy, as one of his very first acts as president Obama signed an executive order to close the military prison for terror suspects within a year, you´re right the year is gone and nothing has happened! Ok, nearly nothing, you´re arguments are striking that he began to care about Guantanamo and we will see what´ll happen.. Generally: Respect for this blog and your inside facts!!
Hey girl, congratulations for such an informative blog, really, keep it up!
Concerning guantanamo- call off the ’surge’ in Afghanistan and you can call it progress!Remember, the US should never have been torturing in the first place. Surely you don’t get credit for being ‘good’ just by saying ‘i won’t torture’. Difficult topic..