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Obama Calls for Closure of Gitmo Again

© Sputnik / Denis VoroshiliovUS President Barack Obama has once again stressed the importance of closing down the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, as he signed the 2015 defense authorization act, which prohibits moving detainees from the notorious prison.
US President Barack Obama has once again stressed the importance of closing down the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, as he signed the 2015 defense authorization act, which prohibits moving detainees from the notorious prison. - Sputnik International
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US President Barack Obama has called the closing down the Guantanamo Bay detention camp a national imperative and urged Members from both sides of the aisle to bring this chapter of American history to a close.

The Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin called on the United States Monday to close the US Guantanamo Bay detention camp - Sputnik International
Vatican Urges United States to Close Notorious Guantanamo Prison: Reports
WASHINGTON, December 20 (Sputnik) – US President Barack Obama has once again stressed the importance of closing down the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, as he signed the 2015 defense authorization act, which prohibits moving detainees from the notorious prison.

"As I have said many times, the continued operation of this detention facility [Guantanamo] weakens our national security by draining resources, damaging our relationships with key allies and partners, and emboldening violent extremists. Closing the detention facility is a national imperative," Obama said as quoted by the White House in a Friday press release.

The US President stressed that while Guantanamo remains open for the 13th consecutive year, "costing the American people hundreds of millions of dollars each year and undermining America's standing in the world", Congress continues to pass restrictions, which tie Obama's hands in terms of closing down the facility.

A massive $577-billion defense authorization bill, passed by the US House of Representatives and the Senate, now waiting for President Barack Obama's approval, does not allow moving detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. - Sputnik International
US Defense Bill, Passed by Congress, Bans Transfer of Guantanamo Prisoners
"The Guantanamo detention facility's continued operation undermines our national security. We must close it. I call on Members from both sides of the aisle to work with us to bring this chapter of American history to a close," Obama stressed.

The president's statement came as he signed the national defense authorization act for fiscal year 2015, which prohibits the US Department of Defense from transferring prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay prison.

Obama signed an order for the closure of Guantanamo Bay in 2009, after promising to shut the camp down during his election campaign, describing it as a "sad chapter in American history". The closure has not taken place yet.

The detention facility, located in Cuba, has been the subject of harsh criticism by human rights groups, governments and media since its establishment in 2002. Health workers, inspectors and former detainees have described the conditions at the camp as cruel and inhumane, reporting the use of torture.

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