UN TO US: CLOSE GUANTANAMO
In a recently published 54 page report, the United Nations urged the United states to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
It is four years since the 'Gitmo' camp was opened. Few believed that that the camp would be around today. At one point the camp held well over five hundred detainees, or enemy combatants as the Americans will term it.
Why were there? This was the grand idea of the US to detain people suspected of being in league with Al Qaeda. Most of them were rounded up in the war zones of Afghanistan, some under devious means, according to reports. They were supposed to provide the US with lots of intelligence with the inner workings of Al Qaeda, which would be useful in the American War on Terror. It is debatable with these goals are ever going to be realised. But the detaining of the men from over forty countries, continues.
Over two hundred and fifty of the men have been returned to their respective countries in the last two years, under numerous private deals with their governments. In the UK, four combatants have been returned, and after a brief interrogation by the police, were set free. None were ever charged with any offence.
The UN challenged the US about the inhumane way in which the detainees were kept. They also stated that there were 'substantial grounds for believing' that some were being tortured. The report also suggested that detainees should have the right to complain, and should be given the rights associated with all prisoners.
Legal battles continue in the United States over the rights of the detainees. President Bush and his administration contend that the combatants are not entitled to rights under the Geneva Convention. So far, the Supreme Court has ruled the prisoners can challenge their imprisonment. Around five hundred prisoners are still being held in Guantanamo Bay.
Do you have a view on the Guantanamo Camp?
Please do a post.
In a recently published 54 page report, the United Nations urged the United states to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
It is four years since the 'Gitmo' camp was opened. Few believed that that the camp would be around today. At one point the camp held well over five hundred detainees, or enemy combatants as the Americans will term it.
Why were there? This was the grand idea of the US to detain people suspected of being in league with Al Qaeda. Most of them were rounded up in the war zones of Afghanistan, some under devious means, according to reports. They were supposed to provide the US with lots of intelligence with the inner workings of Al Qaeda, which would be useful in the American War on Terror. It is debatable with these goals are ever going to be realised. But the detaining of the men from over forty countries, continues.
Over two hundred and fifty of the men have been returned to their respective countries in the last two years, under numerous private deals with their governments. In the UK, four combatants have been returned, and after a brief interrogation by the police, were set free. None were ever charged with any offence.
The UN challenged the US about the inhumane way in which the detainees were kept. They also stated that there were 'substantial grounds for believing' that some were being tortured. The report also suggested that detainees should have the right to complain, and should be given the rights associated with all prisoners.
Legal battles continue in the United States over the rights of the detainees. President Bush and his administration contend that the combatants are not entitled to rights under the Geneva Convention. So far, the Supreme Court has ruled the prisoners can challenge their imprisonment. Around five hundred prisoners are still being held in Guantanamo Bay.
Do you have a view on the Guantanamo Camp?
Please do a post.
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