奥巴马宣布将关闭关塔那摩湾监狱
U.S. President Barack Obama has rolled out his plan to close the Guantanamo Bay prison.
美国总统奥巴马宣布关闭关塔那摩湾监狱的计划。
He wants to make good on a campaign pledge he made eight years ago, but the move is expected to run into fierce opposition from Congress as he faces his final year in office.
Eight years after he promised to shut down the prison during his 2008 campaign, President Obama is finally making his move.
"Today the Defense Department is submitting to Congress our plan for closing the facility at Guantanamo once and for all."
The plan comprises three key elements. First is the transfer of 35 detainees who are already approved to be handed to other countries. Secondly, President Obama vowed to accelerate the periodic reviews of the remaining detainees to determine whether their continued detention is necessary. And lastly, the administration is considering of relocating the suspected terrorists.
President Obama stressed that keeping the prison open is contrary to American values.
"Keeping this facility open is contrary to our values, it undermines our standing in the world. It Is viewed as a stain on our broad record of upholding the highest standards of rule of the law."