Eshoo Statement on President Obama's Executive Orders to Close Guantanamo Detention Facilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) issued the following statement after President Barack Obama signed executive orders to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facilities within one year, as well as end the use of extreme interrogation methods, such as waterboarding. The executive orders implement many provisions of the Lawful Interrogation and Detention Act of 2009, which Rep. Eshoo introduced this month.

"I applaud President Obama's executive orders today on interrogation and detention. It is time now to restore our image abroad and support the rule of law our nation was founded on. I was the author of the Lawful Interrogation and Detention Act of 2009 earlier this year, which calls for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facilities and for ending the extreme interrogation methods that have harmed U.S. efforts at home and abroad. My legislation also prohibits the CIA from using private contractors to conduct interrogations of detainees and provides the International Committee of The Red Cross with access to detainees.

"These orders are the clearest statement that America is a nation that respects the rule of law and the dignity of humankind. I look forward to working with President Obama to ensure that these policies are implemented effectively."

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