4 of 22

Yes

Write now Article Tools

The military prison on Guantanamo Bay needs to be shut down.

If American is to continue to claim to be a land of opportunity and freedom and continue to pretend to have any sort of moral high ground they need to acknowledge that everything going on a Guantanamo Bay is simply wrong.

The terrorist attacks of Sept 11th were a tragedy, of that there can be no argument. But they did not grant the US a license to do whatever they please, where ever they please, to whom ever they please.

One of the greatest things about freedom and democracy is knowing that our leaders are accountable and that there are basic human rights that our governments safeguard. If there is a place on American soil (and Guantanamo Bay is American soil) where these basic human rights are suspended simply on suspicion and fear without a scrap of real proof, then freedom is a simple veneer. We need to ask ourselves, if today we suspend the basic human rights of foreign-born terror suspects (again - no evidence, trial or legal representation), what happens next when we suspect an American of terrorism? Does the government suspend that American's rights?

Why is the military prison off-shore in Cuba, anyway? Could it be that what is done there can more easily be swept under the rug without the prying eyes of the media or, heaven forbid, human rights organizations?

What is being done on Guantanamo Bay is morally wrong. According to international law, it is wrong. According to any sense of due process, it is wrong. The fact that this prison exists is a black mark against the US and seriously undermines American credibility throughout the world.

A policy of suspending human rights for ANYONE is a dangerous policy to adopt and the US needs to regain some sanity and put an end to it.

Learn more about this author, Dave Beynon.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should the US close the military prison on Guantanamo Bay? ?
We want to hear your view. Write now!