Senior defense officials say it is “outrageous” that female guards at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are barred from transporting five detainees suspected of involvement in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
A military judge issued an order in January prohibiting female guards from transporting the defendants. That came after the defendants refused to meet with their lawyers, complaining that any physical contact with unrelated women violated their Muslim beliefs. The ruling was meant to deal with something that posed a threat to legal proceedings.
At a congressional hearing on Tuesday, both Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Ash Carter said it was an outrage.
Carter said the order runs counter to the U.S. treatment of service members.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.