Elizabeth Goitein: Detainees in Wonderland

Elizabeth Goitein

hu, 16 Jul 2009 14:48:51 GM

Last week's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the subject of using military commissions to try . detainees. in the conflict against Al Qaeda and the Taliban featured an exchange that could have been scripted by Lewis Carroll.

How can we best create a system for detainees that reflects the best of our laws and values?
Q. I understand that people want a toough response to terrorists and I agree. However, I have a problem with those who wish to use a system that is outside of traditional miltiary law for this purpose. The military law addresses our concerns about classified information and other matters. We do not need special laws for these people because they will create problems for us down the line.
Asked by Judy - Mon Sep 11 10:59:06 2006 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. They are Enemy Combatants, without flag or uniform. Under the Geneva convention. They are spies and saboteurs. As such they are to be given no quarter and should be hung in the street. By simply granting them equal status on the battlefield we give them the rights of an actual army. Therefore they shouldn't be given equal status with a citizen of the United States. At most they should be give a military tribunal and disposed with accordingly with the Geneva Convention. Either released with contract not to wage war against the US or executed for crimes against humanity. Beyond that and they are given too much of my rights under our system of government
Answered by Democestes - Mon Sep 11 11:06:43 2006