Originally posted by Pei
Quite frankly Grun that is complete and utter bollocks. They were never charged under any form of recognized law, they were kept in detention for 2 years without any trial and without access to legal or consular representation. The Geneva convention has rules even for illegal combatants: they must face a competent and fair trial to determine there status. This did not happen.
Why were they kept in Guantanamo rather than the US? Because the US knew that they were breaking US and international law. They had to be kept in a place where only the rule of the US military applies, rather than rule of law. The whole thing is incredible cynical. How can we in the west lecture other countries about due process and then do things like this?
If they are terrorists charge them and try them using a recognized legal system. If they are illegal combatants charge them and try them under the rules of the Geneva convention. If they have committed other crimes they must also be charged and tried. If not they must be prisoners of war and treated accordingly. We can't just detain people indefinitely on the whim of some military commander or politician.
Then tell them to put on a uniform.
