Do Detainees Have Rights?
President George W. Bush claims that freedom is a divine gift to all. He wants to do his best to make all people, regardless of where they live, free. This is why he started the Iraq war. If he is that concerned about freedom, why does he deprive those designated as "detainee" on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, of the most basic freedom: the right to a trial to determine innocence or guilt?
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The issue is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. The administration is arguing that we are fighting a "war on terror" and the commander-in-chief should not be deprived of any possible tool in this "war." In other words, forget about freedom for as long as this "war" persists - probably indefinitely.
Besides, the adminstration says, these are not citizens of America. These are foreign "detainees." They are not prisoners of war, but "enemy combatants." Citizens deserve freedom. Foreigners, not necessarily. "Enemy combatants," definitely not.
Essentially, the president is the accuser, judge and jury. Although he is in favor of freedom for everybody, he does not want freedom for those he labels "enemy combatants."
Lots of technicalities about citizenship and about Guantanamo Bay being/not being American territory are being bandied about. But the issue is as clear as can be: Every accused person - not only a citizen - should be given a trial to determine guilt or innocence. War should not change this. Location should have no effect. Citizenship should not be a requirement.
Before Bush imposes "freedom" on people in the Middle East and on other parts of the world, let him make sure we have freedom here in the U.S. Let him not send "detainees" to Guantanamo Bay in order to be able to argue against their freedom.
Do detainees have rights? Definitely. As Justice Breyer said:
"I'm still honestly most worried about the fact that there would be a large category of unchecked and uncheckable actions dealing wih the detention of individuals that are being held in a place where America has the power to do everything."
I hope the U.S. Supreme Court decides that "detainees" have a right to a trial or a hearing.
I hope Bush modifies his ideas about freedom to apply to ALL people.
