Review and Disposition of Individuals Detained At the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and Closure of Detention Facilities

2009-01-27Executive Order 13492
Signed by: Barack Obama
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Headline: Orders Closure of Guantánamo Detention Facilities Within One Year

What it does: Agencies must review every Guantánamo detainee promptly and close the detention facilities within one year, arranging release, transfer, prosecution, or other lawful disposition.

Real World Impact:
  • Closure of Guantánamo detention facilities within one year.
  • Prompts transfers, releases, or prosecution decisions for people held at Guantánamo.
  • Requires humane treatment review and halts military commission proceedings during review.
Topics: detention policy, national security, human rights, foreign relations, military justice

Summary

This order requires a prompt, comprehensive review of every person held at the Guantánamo Bay detention center and directs closure of the detention facilities within one year.

It directs law enforcement, defense, and foreign policy officials to decide whether each person can be released or transferred, should be prosecuted, or needs another lawful disposition, and to pursue diplomatic agreements with other countries as needed.

The order requires humane detention standards consistent with Common Article 3 and halts military commission proceedings during the review.

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