Should the U.S. government close the Guantanamo Bay prison?
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16 votes
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2 votes
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A series of demonstrations Wednesday in Washington and other cities around the world will mark the 10th anniversary of the prison facility in Guantanamo Bay.
The prison facility in Cuba remains open despite years of political pressure from within the U.S. and from abroad to close the site.
White House press secretary Jay Carney said Monday that U.S. President Barack Obama is still committed to closing the prison.
"I think this is a process that faces obstacles that we're all aware of and we will continue to work through them," Carney said.
Originally a makeshift location to hold prisoners at the beginning of the Afghanistan War, Guantanamo Bay has since grown into a facility similar to a typical jail, with communal blocks for inmates and amenities including video games and cable TV.
Today it holds 171 prisoners, including some awaiting trial on war crimes charges and others the U.S. considers dangerous but cannot be charged for lack of evidence and other reasons.
Critics are angry with Obama for not overcoming resistance in Congress to keep the prison open, and for signing the National Defence Authorization Act on Dec. 31, which includes a provision that allows indefinite military detention without trial.
The prison facility in Cuba remains open despite years of political pressure from within the U.S. and from abroad to close the site.
White House press secretary Jay Carney said Monday that U.S. President Barack Obama is still committed to closing the prison.
"I think this is a process that faces obstacles that we're all aware of and we will continue to work through them," Carney said.
Originally a makeshift location to hold prisoners at the beginning of the Afghanistan War, Guantanamo Bay has since grown into a facility similar to a typical jail, with communal blocks for inmates and amenities including video games and cable TV.
Today it holds 171 prisoners, including some awaiting trial on war crimes charges and others the U.S. considers dangerous but cannot be charged for lack of evidence and other reasons.
Critics are angry with Obama for not overcoming resistance in Congress to keep the prison open, and for signing the National Defence Authorization Act on Dec. 31, which includes a provision that allows indefinite military detention without trial.
Read More: http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2012/01/shoul...
Top Opinion
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Beccy 2012/01/12 02:41:42
You cannot defend the US Constitution by violating the US Constitution.
The states were reluctant. They chose GITMO.
So there you go. If no states will take them, what other option is there?
A facility could easily have been built in the time they have been stalling.
A facility could easily have been built in the time they have been stalling.