President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013. This bill sets indefinite detentions of prisoners in Guantanamo.
As pointed out by Salon, a provision put forward by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) with the aim of ending indefinite military detention for U.S. citizens, which was an ineffectual amendment at best, was eventually stripped from the final 2013 NDAA.
American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony Romero said in a statement. “His signature means indefinite detention without charge or trial, as well as the illegal military commissions, will be extended.”
For the second time in two years, the President outlined his thoughts about indefinite detentions in his Presidential Signing Statement.
The Center for Constitutional Rights issued the following statement:
For the second year in a row, President Obama has caved on his threat to veto this dangerous legislation, which severely restricts his ability to transfer or provide fair trials for the 166 men who remain imprisoned at Guantanamo. The 2013 NDAA extends restrictions that have been in place for nearly two years, during which zero prisoners have been certified for transfer oversees and zero have been transferred to the U.S. for prosecution. Once again, Obama has failed to lead on Guantanamo and surrendered closure issues to his political opponents in Congress. In one fell swoop, he has belied his recent lip-service about a continued commitment to closing Guantanamo.
Jan. 11 marks the 11th anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo prison.