Time To Close Gitmo
Robert Paul Reyes
March 02, 2006
To most of the world "Guantanamo Bay" and "Gulag" are synonymous, this infamous American detention camp is undermining our efforts to combat terrorism and to win hearts and minds.
Gitmo is a Kafkaesque nightmare, the Geneva Conventions and the Constitution are ignored and detainees are in a legal limbo and subject to torture.
More than four years after this affront to morality, democracy and human rights opened, more and more individuals are demanding that it be closed.
Jimmy Carter's presidency was hobbled by malaise and inefficiency, but in the years since he has been an infective warrior for peace and human rights. Jimmy Carter has spoken loudly and eloquently for the closure of Gitmo.
Jimmy Carter is not the only statesman calling for the closure of this notorious prison, many international notables including UN Secretary-General Annan, Amensty International and the International Committee of the Red Cross have expressed similar sentiments.
Even if Gitmo were an American-style prison where inmates had free cable TV, access to a law library, subscriptions to Hustler and Penthouse and an exercise facility with free weights -- it should still be closed.
Unfortunately "perception is reality" and almost the whole world sees "Guantanamo Bay" as a Gulag that reeks of American arrogance.
The meager intelligence that may have been obtained from the detainees at Gitmo does not outweigh the unparalleled harm it is doing to America's reputation.
It is time for more American politicians and civic leaders to join the chorus of foreign dignitaries calling for the closure of Gitmo.
Gitmo is a Kafkaesque nightmare, the Geneva Conventions and the Constitution are ignored and detainees are in a legal limbo and subject to torture.
More than four years after this affront to morality, democracy and human rights opened, more and more individuals are demanding that it be closed.
Jimmy Carter's presidency was hobbled by malaise and inefficiency, but in the years since he has been an infective warrior for peace and human rights. Jimmy Carter has spoken loudly and eloquently for the closure of Gitmo.
Jimmy Carter is not the only statesman calling for the closure of this notorious prison, many international notables including UN Secretary-General Annan, Amensty International and the International Committee of the Red Cross have expressed similar sentiments.
Even if Gitmo were an American-style prison where inmates had free cable TV, access to a law library, subscriptions to Hustler and Penthouse and an exercise facility with free weights -- it should still be closed.
Unfortunately "perception is reality" and almost the whole world sees "Guantanamo Bay" as a Gulag that reeks of American arrogance.
The meager intelligence that may have been obtained from the detainees at Gitmo does not outweigh the unparalleled harm it is doing to America's reputation.
It is time for more American politicians and civic leaders to join the chorus of foreign dignitaries calling for the closure of Gitmo.
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