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Groups applaud Obama's decision to end torture, close Guantanamo

Fri, 01/23/2009 - 5:35pm

Link: 
http://www.uscatholic.org/news/2009/01/groups-applaud-obamas-decision-end-tortur...

Catholic News Service:

Reaction from religious and human rights groups seeking to overturn U.S. policy on Guantanamo and the use of torture was laudatory.

Matt Daloisio, a Catholic Worker and a leader in a faith-based campaign called Witness Against Torture, applauded Obama's action. At the same time he called for a quick review of the cases of the Guantanamo detainees as well as the thousands who are being held at what are known as "black site" facilities worldwide.

"Witness Against Torture has always been focused on people before policy," Daloisio told Catholic News Service. "As far as policy goes, it's very encouraging the new president on his second day in office has begun to address what is a stain on America's character.

"But at the same time for 250 men nothing has changed," he added. "Seventy are on a hunger strike. Those things have to change tomorrow and they can."