Hours after taking office, President Obama called for a four-month suspension in military trials at Guantanamo Bay. It would halt proceedings in 21 current cases, including the death penalty trials against five suspects accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Guantanamo is seen as a stain on America’s human rights record, and Obama made closing it one of his major campaign promises. The suspension would give the new administration time to evaluate the cases, and decide how to proceed with future prosecutions. About 245 suspects are still being held in Guantanamo. The Bush administration had planned to try 80 people for war crimes, but only three cases have been completed.More about: Barack Obama, USA

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