Russia is concerned by U.S. President Barack Obama’s decision to end a two-year ban on military tribunals at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, which he had earlier vowed to close.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the decision raised questions over the U.S.’s commitment to “universally recognized international norms on human rights.”
Obama suspended new military commissions for Guantanamo detainees in early 2009 and pledged to close the prison within a year. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates revoked the suspension last Monday.
Obama said the measures were part of U.S. counter-terrorism efforts. There are still some 172 detainees at Guantanamo.
MOSCOW, March 14 (RIA Novosti)