The latest WikiLeaks whistleblowing website has exposed the appalling abuse of prisoners at Guantánamo. The documents show that the vast majority of prisoners are innocent or very-low operatives - not the high level detainees that the Pentagon has repeatedly asserted As an example of the complete absence of any meaningful justice, it turns out that a single informer was granted his freedom by incriminating at least 123 others – which makes his ‘testimony’ highly suspect.
The trove of documents also shows how an Al Jazeera employee was abducted and imprisoned for six long years merely because his employer had broadcast embarrassing video clips showing US forces abusing civilians and prisoners. This is the same Al Jazeera that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke of in glowing terms as a trend setter in journalism, in contrast with the US networks repetitious 24 news cycle babble. Other examples of egregious misconduct, was the arrest of an 89-year old Afghan villager suffering from dementia and the arrest of a 14-year old boy who was kidnapped and subsequently dumped by pro-Taliban forces. Others prisoners were turned in by ransom seekers.
It is time for President Obama to follow through on his campaign promise and close this hell-hole. Its continuing existence is a blot on America’s claim to be a law abiding nation.
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