It’s over!

For now, anyway.

Staying true to his promise, Barack Obama has made it one of his first official acts as President to request a suspension of the military tribunal process in Guantanamo.

Omar Khadr is the first beneficiary of the directive. His “trial” was suspended this morning.

The suspension will last for 120 days so that the government can explore alternatives.

The legal maneuver appears designed to provide the Obama administration time to refashion the prosecution system and potentially treat detainees as criminal defendants in federal court or have them face war-crimes charges in military courts-martial. It is also possible that the administration could re-form and relocate the military commissions before resuming trials.

…

President Obama has acknowledged in recent interviews that shutting the facility is likely to be prolonged and complex. And the administration now faces a number of potentially daunting challenges to following through on the president’s campaign promise. Obama is expected to sign an executive order soon that will lay out in detail his plan to empty the facility.

(source: Washington Post)

The military tribunal process has been roundly criticized by human rights groups, lawyers and lay people alike as a violation of the rule of law.

In his inaugural address, Obama spoke these inspiring words, which I leave you with:

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort – even greater cooperation and understanding between nations.