Trump signs order to keep Guantanamo Bay prison open

Trump’s announcement, during his State of the Union Address, has alarmed rights groups, who call the prison ‘a stain on any justice system’.

US President Donald Trump has decided to keep the notorious Guantanamo military prison in Cuba open using an executive order.

His predecessor, Barack Obama, promised to close it – but failed.

Not only will the prison remain open, the new administration’s executive order gives the secretary of defense the authority to transfer more detainees to the prison camp.

At present, there are still 41 detainees being held in “Gitmo”, the majority of whom have not faced trial.

Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane reports from Washington, DC.