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Left in limbo
Editorial
Fort-Worth Star-Telegram
June 14, 2006
The military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which houses more than 460 prisoners captured during the war in Afghanistan, has become a giant albatross around America's neck, severely tarnishing the image of a country founded on justice.
The suicides of three detainees last week, coming after dozens of hunger strikes and a recent brawl at the prison, continue to focus attention on a facility that many say should be closed, and on a situation -- the holding of prisoners without charges or trial -- that runs counter to some basic American principles.
Because those being held have been labeled "enemy combatants" rather than prisoners of war, the Bush administration maintains that they are not entitled to rights afforded under the Geneva Conventions. Except for 10 who have been charged as war criminals under the president's Military Commissions, the detainees have no status, living in a state of hopelessness.
The three suicides, the first successful ones in more than 40 attempts, have set off renewed calls for the prison's closure and demands that the U.S. government initiate some due process for the detainees. The European Union was among those reiterating displeasure with the way that Guantanamo is being run.
Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is urging that the terrorism suspects be brought to trial, noting that "too many have been detained for too long."
There may be very dangerous people being held at the prison who continue to pose a threat to this country. They will be our enemies forever. But it is also true that the longer these people are held without trial, the more they become symbols to others around world and attract even more enemies prepared to fight against the United States.
Although it would be hard to repair all the damage done with our ill-conceived handling of these prisoners, giving them their day in court at least would show the world that, unlike our terrorist enemies, we maintain a sense of justice.
To keep the detainees in limbo forever would be a grave mistake. It not only would continue to damage our image around the world -- more important, it would put an enduring stain on our national soul.
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