Largest ever Gitmo transfer moves 15 to UAE

[Geee]

The Hill:

The Department of Defense (DOD) on Monday announced it is transferring 15 Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

 

“The United States is grateful to the government of the United Arab Emirates for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility,” it said in a statement.

 

“The United States coordinated with the government of the United Arab Emirates to ensure these transfers took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures.”

The DOD said Monday’s transfer reduces the prisoner population at Guantanamo Bay’s detention facilities to 61 detainees.

 

Defense Secretary Ash Carter has also informed Congress of the move after concluding every transfer meets the statutory standard.

 

The DOD said six of the 15 transfers were unanimously approved by the six agencies that make up the Periodic Review Board.

 

The remaining nine transfers were approved after the Periodic Review Board determined none of the detainees pose a continuing “significant threat” to U.S. security.

 

President Obama has repeatedly said he hopes to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp before he leaves office.

[Valin]

Congress Responds to Obama Releasing Largest Group of 'Hardened Terrorists' Yet
Cortney O'Brien
Aug 15, 2016

(Snip)

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) warned that Obama's plan to close Gitmo will spell disaster for national security.

“In its race to close Gitmo, the Obama administration is doubling down on policies that put American lives at risk," Royce says in a new statement. "Once again, hardened terrorists are being released to foreign countries where they will be a threat. Too many have already died at the hands of former detainees. I fear we will be dealing with the consequences of this recklessness for years to come.”

The number of Gitmo detainees is now down to 61. Should he succeed Obama, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has pledged to keep them there - and to bring them to trial.

 

(Snip)

[Draggingtree]

:

The Department of Defense (DOD) on Monday announced it is transferring 15 Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

 

“The United States is grateful to the government of the United Arab Emirates for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility,” it said in a statement.

 

“The United States coordinated with the government of the United Arab Emirates to ensure these transfers took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures.”

The DOD said Monday’s transfer reduces the prisoner population at Guantanamo Bay’s detention facilities to 61 detainees.

 

Defense Secretary Ash Carter has also informed Congress of the move after concluding every transfer meets the statutory standard.

 

The DOD said six of the 15 transfers were unanimously approved by the six agencies that make up the Periodic Review Board.

 

The remaining nine transfers were approved after the Periodic Review Board determined none of the detainees pose a continuing “significant threat” to U.S. security.

 

President Obama has repeatedly said he hopes to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp before he leaves office.