U.S. rights stance faces big test in Guantanamo case (Reuters)

[News Manager]

Reuters - The tarnished U.S. human rights image faces a major test this week as the Supreme Court considers whether terrorism suspects held for years without charges at Guantanamo Bay are wrongly detained.



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[MontyB]

Most of the 305 prisoners have been confined for years without charges and many have complained of abuse. About 470 prisoners have been released, and the United States said it intends to try 60 to 80 of those still in detention.

This is the bit that is causing the problem for many, doesn't this mean that of the 305 people held there 220+ of them are not going to be charged with anything even though they will have been detained for years?

 

[Del Boy]

The US should stop trying to shoot itself in the foot over this necessary solution to the terrorist threat they faced.

In such situations stern measures are required to protect themselves, and others, from those who aim to destroy them.

Do not make the mistake of expecting your guard to defend your cause with their arms tied behind their backs. I just do not swallow the suggestion that this prison contains a sad array of innocents. Rather a savage group of the most dangerous killers ever faced.

Spare us from the hand-wringers, and the agendas of underminement.

 

[A Can of Man]

If you're sure they're terrorists but can't really prove it, don't detain them. Shoot them where you found them. Or leave them alone.

 

[MontyB]

If you're sure they're terrorists but can't really prove it, don't detain them. Shoot them where you found them. Or leave them alone.

Funny thing is I sort of agree with this.

I just think that locking people up for years on end with no intention of charging them with anything just smacks of all those third world dictatorships the western world especially the US has preached against for the last 70 years.

I really don't give a damn what happens to terrorists in fact I am a huge fan of just shooting them after a trial but I do believe they need to go through a judicial process in a reasonable time in case you do have the 1 innocent one in 1000.

I also think this process has set a very dangerous precedent where countries can start holding people indefinitely for any dubious reason they wish, by simply claiming they are "terrorists" and responding to any criticism by pointing to the US example.

 

[A Can of Man]

What can I say? It's a disaster.