Q&A: US Treatment of Suspected Terrorists :: essays research papers

1) Summarize the arguments that the United States used to justify its treatment of the prisoners. Ans. There were many arguments offered by the United States to justify its treatment of the prisoners. One of the arguments was that, Taliban and Al-Qaeda prisoners were ?unlawful enemy combatants? so therefore, Third Geneva Convention does not apply due to the fact they are not prisoners of war. This meant that US could treat the prisoners how ever they favored. Another dispute was raised which was the US human rights, which was argued by the US by raising up a point that the prisoners were not US citizens and were not living there. Lastly another argument raised was that strict rules and conduct was necessary for the prisoners because they have threatened US and strict behavior from US was legitimate. 2) Summarize the arguments that critics used to pressure the United States into changing its treatment of the prisoners. Ans. Various organizations and governments have accused the US for the unsuitable treatment of the prisoners. Critics say that these people are prisoners of war. The conditions do not meet the requirement level that is expected for prisoners of war and also some prisoner?s officials agree with this concept. They have stated that the conditions are below standard for the prisoners and the NGO Human Rights Watch completely opposes the treatment of the prisoners. According to the NGO, US are supposed to treat every detained combatant humanely, including unlawful combatants. Amnesty International wrote: ?The USA has variously used hooding, blindfolding, handcuffing, and shackling of detainees in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, Iraq) 3) Identify some important issues of international law raised by this situation. Ans. The legal limbo is an important issue of international law raised by this situation, in which prisoners existed, a situation for which there was no provision under international law. According to international and human rights law, legal status as a prisoner of war or criminal should be determined by a competent, independent tribunal, not by the US captors. 4) In your opinion, was the United States justified in its treatment of al-Qaeda and Taliban prisoners? Explain your viewpoint. Ans. I fully disagree with the treatment of the Al-Qaeda and Taliban prisoners that took place by the USA. This is because some of them might be innocent, some of them might of changed there thoughts if they were reasoned with.