WASHINGTON–President Obama ordered the resumption of military commissions to deal with some–not all– alleged terrorist detainees at the Guantanamo Bay military prison on Monday.
Read the Obama administration new Guantanamo policy here:
Obama has been struggling how to deal with the prisoners. He did not fulfill his pledge to close Guantanamo a year after taking office. Last year, Obama gave up on transferring some of the Gitmo detainees to a high security facility the Obama administration wanted to open in Thomson, Ill.
From the White House: “The Secretary of Defense will issue an order rescinding his prior suspension on the swearing and referring of new charges in the military commissions. New charges in military commissions have been suspended since the President announced his review of detainee policy, shortly after taking office.”
From Obama on “New Actions on Guantanamo Bay and Detainee Policy: “Today, I am announcing several steps that broaden our ability to bring terrorists to justice, provide oversight for our actions, and ensure the humane treatment of detainees. I strongly believe that the American system of justice is a key part of our arsenal in the war against al Qaeda and its affiliates, and we will continue to draw on all aspects of our justice system – including Article III Courts – to ensure that our security and our values are strengthened. Going forward, all branches of government have a responsibility to come together to forge a strong and durable approach to defend our nation and the values that define who we are as a nation.”