The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) applauds President Obama’s orders to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and to ban the use of torture during interrogations. The President’s decision to issue these orders within two days of his inauguration indicates the high importance he places on restoring U.S. credibility abroad and affirming his administration’s commitment to human rights. “It’s a very significant first step and signals that the U.S. intends to return to being a leader on human rights,” said Joy Olson, Executive Director of WOLA. She added that the upcoming April 2009 Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago will provide President Obama the opportunity to signal his administration’s commitment to multilateral approaches to resolving common problems in the hemisphere such as poverty and inequality, trade and development, and violence and citizen security.
Contact
Geoff Thale
Program Director
202-797-2171
