Such people do not deserve a civil trial, no matter how angry they are or what their reasons were for planning such an act. The people that are in Guantanamo belong in Guantanamo. Although sometimes mistakes are made, people wrongfully accused, I do believe that the existence of this prison still remains beneficial.
Guantanamo has been a site of torture, this is well known. Although I do not advocate violation of civil liberties, I do not believe that someone possess' those liberties after committing acts like what Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri (a Saudi Arabian who was accused of planning the bombing of the US destroyer Cole in Yemen in 2000) did. Torture can be a useful method, but it can also be a way of obtaining inconclusive information, so my stance on this is neutral at the moment. I do however advocate the existence of Guantanamo. Maybe some changes to the prison itself would be effective, but the destruction of its usefulness is not in the best interests of the US.
3 comments:
Guantanamo has been a controversial subject for many years; but whether or not it continues to exist, isn't the main question whether or not the US government chooses to comply with due process and give the inmates a trial? Granted, prisons, whether Guantanamo or one located within the US, have benefits in that they house dangerous criminals. But disregarding the laws of the state by forcibly transferring the prisoners to US facilities without granting them any rights within that country is in breach of civil rights, human rights, and international laws. If the Geneva Conventions do not apply, then how are they to make their defense if before a board of US personnel?
Guantanmo bay is a tough side to choose own because if these people are as dangerous as people say then should they be there? or if a mistake is made then what? i feel as if the torture in Guantanamo is not that effective because the people being tortured are just going to tell people what they want to hear.
On October 7, 2001 four weeks after September 11th the U.S launched an attack with cruise missiles on Afghanistan in order to search for the Taliban and Al Qaeda. As these missiles were dropped thousands of civilians crossed the border into Pakistan many of whom were trapped in the borders who made it into safe houses and relatives houses. This is when the U.S decided to drop leaflets pledging generous rewards for these terrorists. As this word of a cash payment engulfed Pakistan, local militias and citizens started to turn in Afghan's who were fleeing from the dire conditions in their own country.
When you consider how poor Pakistan is, this starts to make a lot of sense, people will do anything for money. If that means turn in a stranger to make money to feed your family, then these men would have done it in an instant. Some were turned in for having legal passports, binoculars, cell phones.
Guantanamo's commander, Major General Dunlavey estimated that more than half of the camp was innocent. Another FBI counterterrorism expert went further and told a committee that probably 50 detainees were worth holding at Guantanamo.
Many who returned home were threatened by old enemies. Many reported that rumors of sexual abuse at Guantanamo had made it very difficult to find a wife. Some found it very difficult while at Guantanamo to maintain meaningful contact with their families during their detention. Some families did not know if their loved one was dead until their release. Some returned home to find their wives divorced them. Many of their family members developed mental problems cause by stress and anxiety caused by their absence. Several reported that their children dropped out of school because of a lack of funds or because of their time away.
Guantanamo Bay has done much more harm than good. We are creating more terrorists as we hold family members of innocent civilians. Some of these people were scientists, professors, doctors. Imagine if one of your family members was held on false charges for several years. Would you want retribution?
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