"As President, I will close Guantánamo, reject the Military Commissions Act, and adhere to the Geneva Conventions. Our Constitution and our Uniform Code of Military Justice provide a framework for dealing with the terrorists." (stated by Barack Obama, www.barackobama.com).

Just a week past his election, Obama´s transition team is analysing how to follow this pledge. Human Rights activists are pressuring the newly elected to close the controversial high-security facility and to reject the Military Commissions Act, which is the law from 2006 underpinning the ongoing Guantánamo tribunals.

Major challenges are connected to Obama´s desire to close Guantánamo. He will have to decide where to house the 255 Guantánamo inmates and how to try them. It also has to be decided how to deal with future suspect terrorists caught in the war on terrorism.

Finding a solution to the Guantánamo problem left behind by George W. Bush and adhering to what he pledged during his campaign will be one of the hardest challenges Barack Obama will face as a new president.

• Press Release by Erika Mann: "Obama wants to close Guantánamo"; November 14, 2008 (EN)
  
• Pressemitteilung von Erika Mann: "Obama will Guantánamo schließen"; 14. November 2008 (DE)