Belgium accepts Guantanamo Bay detainee for resettlement News
Belgium accepts Guantanamo Bay detainee for resettlement

[JURIST] The Belgian Foreign Ministry [official website] announced press release] Friday that they have accepted a former Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive] detainee into their country for resettlement. The Belgian government announced that the detainee, who has not been named, will receive a work permit and that further "accompanying measures will be specific with a view to ensuring his effective integration in Belgium." In August, Belgium sent a delegation to Guantanamo Bay to interview [JURIST report] a detainee for potential transfer.

The White House recently gave notice [JURIST report] to Congress that six Guantanamo Bay detainees would be transferred out of the country. Of the six, one was sent to Afghanistan, two were sent to Portugal, and two will be sent to Ireland [JURIST reports]. Meanwhile, the residents of a Michigan town where a federal prison set to close is being considered to house the remaining Guantanamo detainees have protested [JURIST report] the move. President Barack Obama signed an executive order [JURIST report] in January, ordering the detention facility to be closed within a year and the remaining prisoners moved elsewhere.