Will Barack Obama be able to close the notorious prison camp at Guantanamo Bay before he leaves office early next year? He may want to--as was stated by his Vice President Joe Biden one more time in Sweden today--but will Congress allow him to do so? Further, will Obama be able to muster the courage to oppose Congress and end the barbaric practice that has sullied America's already tarnished reputation?
1Report says CIA misled the public and policymakers about interrogation program. American doctors (psychologists) were also inducted into the program and even participated in the torture of detainees although the Senate report continues to use the expression “interrogation program.” Two doctors set up a company and collected $80 million for torturing detainees! President Obama says we want to put this behind us.
Far from shutting it down as Barack Obama promised soon after he was sworn in as president for the first time in January 2009, Guantanamo Bay prison camp is being expanded. The Pentagon has sought $69 million for expansion work. There are still 150 prisoners held there despite no charges being brought against them except for a few but even they have not been tried in any court of law.
Academic freedom, like most other freedoms in North America, has become a thing of the past. Not just the US but also Canada has been affected by a virulent strain of racism couched in the excuse that "things have changed" since September 11, 2001...
After defying international law by holding about 660 Muslims in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, since January 2001, the US has been forced to admit that there are juveniles among the detainees. The admission on April 22 came after ABC television of Australia reported that children are being held at Camp X-ray.
As Eid ul-Fitr looms, spare a thought for the 625 Muslim prisoners in Guantanamo Bay who, deprived of their dignity and freedom, do not even know when, or whether, they will ever celebrate the festival at home with their families.
