By DPA,
New York : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has welcomed US President Barack Obama’s decision to close the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
“The United Nations has previously called for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, and is encouraged that President Obama has given the highest priority to ensuring respect for fundamental rights,” Ban’s spokesman said in a statement Friday.
He also praised Obama’s decision to ban harsh interrogation techniques and to review detainee procedures.
“The secretary general looks forward to working with all member states of the United Nations in fighting the scourge of terrorism while fully respecting international human rights obligations,” the statement said.
Obama Thursday signed an executive order to close the facility within a year.