Essay Human Rights Violations in the War on Terrorism

Following the September 11th terrorist attacks in which at least 3,000 people were killed, the United States has pursued policies that violate human rights in order to wage the war on terrorism. These policies include the adoption of new security measures, the poor treatment of captured fighters at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, and the willingness of the Bush administration to overlook human rights violations in other countries in return for their support in the war on terrorism. When the enemy is faceless, as it is in the United States fight against terror, there is a tendency to violate human rights in order to identify the perpetrators and anticipate further atrocities. Violations include detaining suspects without†¦show more content†¦From a democratic standpoint, these actions cannot be considered just or moral. In addition to new security legislation, the United States also defies human rights standards through the treatment and legal status given to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. According to the Geneva Convention (1949), in which the United States is a party, a captured fighter is considered a prisoner of war if they are members of an adversary states armed forces or are part of an identifiable military group that abides by the laws of war. Since most members of Al- Qaeda did not wear insignia or abide by the laws of war, they would probably not qualify as prisoners of war. However, Taliban soldiers comprised the armed forces of Afghanistan and should be entitled to POW status (http://www.hrw.org). While the Bush administration decided that the Geneva Convention will apply to Taliban prisoners, it said that none of the detainees will be legally treated as prisoners of war, meaning there will be no effective change in their treatment or status. John Godfrey, a Toronto Liberal MP, claimed that the Bush administrations interpretation was flat-out wrong --on the one hand they respect the Geneva Convention and claim that there is a distinction between Taliban and Al-Qaeda, but they continue to treat both of them as non-prisoners of war. That doesnt follow. If you respect the Geneva Convention, then you have to treat at least one ofShow MoreRelatedEssay on Human Rights, War and Terrorism1226 Words   |  5 PagesHuman Rights, War and Terrorism After every war come the peace talks; after millions of people had been killed. After the terrorist attacks comes the investigation, reason, or counter-terrorism; after lives had been wasted. 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