A Mental Breakdown Is A Sign Of Hope
Obama is expected to sign executive orders during his first week in office to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. This is an important symbolic gesture for many of those who voted for Obama, and is viewed by these folks as an important first step in restoring the reputation of the United States
In recent days, Obama has adopted a pragmatic tone. For example, on the subject of GTMO, the executive order is not expected to set an actual deadline. National security will still be factored in, thankfully. As the new administration moves ahead with its plans, I am sure it will consider some of the disturbing content of this CNN article Ex-Gitmo detainees resume terror acts.
Since 2002, 61 former detainees have committed or are suspected to have committed attacks after being released from the detention camp, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said at a briefing Tuesday.
The number is up since the Pentagon’s last report in March 2008 when officials said 37 former detainees had been suspected of returning to the battlefield since 2002.
Since 2007, more than 100 detainees were released, significantly more than in previous years, according to Pentagon officials.
According to the statistics, of the 61 former detainees that are believed to have returned to fighting, 18 have been officially confirmed while 43 are suspected, Morrell said.
It is common to see GTMO and “torture” mentioned as if they were one and the same. For example, consider Profile: Guantanamo Bay from BBC News
Allegations of mistreatment emerged from the start.
The International Red Cross is the only organisation that has been granted full access to detainees.
However, the UN says it has evidence that torture has taken place at the prison.
Its allegations include the force-feeding of hunger strikers through nasal tubes and the simultaneous use of interrogation techniques such as prolonged solitary confinement and exposure to extreme temperatures, noise and light.
Hmmm. Forced feeding hunger strikers? Prolonged solitary confinement? Temperatures, noise, and light? THIS IS NOT TORTURE! At its worst, it might be considered cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment is barred by the U.N. Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT). The UNCAT was ratified in 1994, but the United States accepted only the prohibition against torture. The US found the CID provisions as entirely too vague.
And this
The UN also says many of the inmates have had mental breakdowns.
Perhaps a mental breakdown is a healthier mental condition than was enjoyed by the jihadists before their capture. At time of refoulement, let’s be sure to submit a medical bill for the mental health services to the jihadists’ country of origin.
A Mental Breakdown Would Be An Improvement