Guantanamo Bay

Two bloggers I follow closely - and usually agree with - Richard (of Sicilian Notes) and Scott Burgess (of Daily Ablution) have written in recent days about Guantanamo. Richard argues that the narrative of Guantanamo portrayed by media and other critics and opponents of America and the war against terrorism is "running aground". The pieces he cites certainly indicate that the wilder criticisms, comparing Camp Delta to one of the Soviet Union's Gulags, are reprehensible. Such commentary belittles the treatment handed out in the Gulags and unjustly besmirches the reputation of a great democracy. The prisoners in Guantanamo have been described, Richard notes, as treated better than Belgian prisoners. Scott Burgess' piece illustrates, similarly, that the prisoners seem well-treated. A few even seem quite appreciative of how well they are treated. Some of the complaints they have made border on the ridiculous. So it appears the general treatment of prisoners, whether regarding food, provision of Qu'rans or visits by the Red Cross, there is humane - which is what one would expect. (One recalls Andrew Sullivan's description, in 2002, of Camp Delta as Camp Holiday Inn. I leave aside for now the recent reports of force-feeding.)

But my problem with Guantanamo is on a different point: indefinite detention without trial. I can't support such an absolute policy. Quite simply, it goes against the principles of justice on which America was founded. US commanders argue that, if released, there is a strong chance some prisoners will resume their previous activities. At least one - there are probably more - prior Guantanamo resident returned to Afghanistan and was killed fighting American forces. But the evidence on which such assumptions of recidivism are based can surely equally be used to convict and sentence such individuals. Over four years after the this war began, it is time to apply due process for once and for all. As George Perkovich argues in the July/August 2005 edition of Foreign Affairs, justice must be given its due. The fact that proponents of America's strategy of spreading democracy have gone quiet on the "battle for hearts and minds" suggests the ground to be made up. I say all of this a strong advocate of the view that the world needs engaged and enlightened leadership and that the United States of America is best placed to provide it.