EU welcomes Obama move to suspend Gitmo trials

The European Union today welcomed President Barack Obama's move to suspend trials by military commissions at the US naval base in Guantanamo.

The European Commission "has been very pleased that one of the first actions of Mr. Obama has been to turn the page on this sad episode of Guantanamo," said Michele Cercone, spokesman for the EU Justice and Home Affairs Commission.

The European Union has repeatedly criticized President George W. Bush's administration over alleged human rights abuses at the Guantanamo jail, including trials of prisoners by military commissions.

The U.S. holds about 245 men in Guantanamo. "This is a very important statement of justice," Cercone said. "In a state (based on) the rule of law, everybody has a right to defense."

He said the European Commission, the 27-nation bloc's executive branch, was now confident that the remaining prisoners would "be subject to fair procedures."

"Fighting terrorism has to remain a main objective for the United States and Europe. We have to be united in this fight, but also united in full respect of human rights," Cercone said.