Guantanamo, a stain on USA’s reputation: Democrats amp up push to close prison

Dozens of U.S. House of Representatives Democrats called on President Joe Biden to immediately close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a few weeks ahead of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The 75 lawmakers, including the chairmen of the national securities committees – Armed Services’ Adam Smith, and Foreign Affairs’ Gregory Meeks, sent a letter to the President, calling Guantanamo a stain on the country’s reputation and a financial burden on Congress.

In the same letter, they asked Biden to take the necessary steps to finally close the prison; by reducing its population, ensuring that the remaining detainees are treated humanely, and increasing the transparency of military commission proceedings at Guantanamo.

The Biden administration announced on July 19 that it had repatriated its first detainee. The transfer reduced the prisoner population to 39, most of whom have been held for nearly two decades without being charged or tried.

Today, the Democrats are asking Joe Biden to continue what Obama’s administration started, which Biden was part of, and close the detention camp.

Democrats now control Congress, which wasn’t the case back in Obama’s days. However, their majorities are so slim that changing the laws will not be easy.

Opened in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks to house suspected terrorists, Guantanamo detention camp was part of George W. Bush’s administration’s response to the 9/11 crisis.

The prison’s population peaked at about 800 inmates. The camp was repeatedly condemned by international human rights and humanitarian organizations for alleged human rights violations, including the use of various forms of torture during interrogations.

Former Democrat President Barack Obama’s efforts to close the facility were stymied by opposition in Congress from Republicans and some of his fellow Democrats. However, he managed to whittle down the number of Guantanamo’s inmates.
He also required interrogators to use only the techniques contained in the U.S. Army’s field manual on interrogation, none of which was considered torturous.