US accused of human rights violations

[Roonie]

U.S. Accused of Human Rights Violations

By FRANK JORDANS, Associated Press Writer

GENEVA - A U.N. investigator accused the United States on Friday of human rights violations in its fight against terrorism, criticizing the use of military commissions to try civilians and interrogation practices.

Martin Scheinin, of Finland, also said several U.S. laws enacted since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks had undermined civil liberties, citing the Patriot Act, the Detainee Treatment Act and the Military Commissions Act.

It is "regretful that a number of important mechanisms for the protection of rights have been removed or obfuscated under law and practice since the events of September 11," Scheinin said in a preliminary report written after meeting with U.S. diplomats and justice and security officials. A final report will be presented to the 47-nation, Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council later this year.

The U.S. Embassy in Geneva expressed disappointment over the report, saying Scheinin's criticisms were unfair and oversimplified. The embassy said the report missed the opportunity to deepen discussion among democratic nations on how best to deal with armed terrorist groups.

The Military Commissions Act of 2006 established rules for trying terror suspects held at the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Bush signed the law after the Supreme Court threw out the old system as unconstitutional. But attorneys for Guantanamo prisoners insist the new system is still unfair, and have asked the Supreme Court to intervene again and guarantee prisoners have the right to challenge their confinement in U.S. courts.

Scheinin said the tribunals "raise significant human rights concerns, including the jurisdiction and composition of military commissions, the potential use of evidence obtained by coercion, and the potential for the imposition of the death penalty."

The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Zalmay Khalilzad, defended the system.

"We are doing this under U.S. laws and procedures and legitimate decision-making authorities that exist in the United States. We are a rule of law country and our decisions are based on rule of law," Khalilzad said.

Scheinin also denounced interrogation practices such as sleep deprivation, forcing prisoners into stress positions and exposing them to extreme temperatures, saying they amounted to torture or inhumane treatment illegal under international law.

U.S. officials have repeatedly denied torturing detainees.

It seems the UN is now speaking out against us for human rights violations. Seems they don't believe in the Patriot Act, military commissions act, and detainee treatment act which impose on civil liberties. I wonder if they are on to something (sarcastic voice). This brings us a step closer to impeaching Bush in my opinion.

[thatguyoverthere]

Originally Posted by article

The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Zalmay Khalilzad, defended the system.
"We are doing this under U.S. laws and procedures and legitimate decision-making authorities that exist in the United States. We are a rule of law country and our decisions are based on rule of law," Khalilzad said.

*cough*habeuscorpus*cough*

Well, they got RID of that law, so he's technically correct.

I'm glad I made it into this thread to comment before the "torture apologists" come in and laugh up a storm over our "alleged" torture. Of all the things that piss me off about war and war supporters, that's right near the top of the list.

But that's America these days. We want a Jack Bauer to take out all our agression and vent our anger. But if we treat everyone like they're the 20th hijacker, we're going to breed even more resentment than we already do.

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by thatguyoverthere

*cough*habeuscorpus*cough*

Well, they got RID of that law, so he's technically correct.

I'm glad I made it into this thread to comment before the "torture apologists" come in and laugh up a storm over our "alleged" torture. Of all the things that piss me off about war and war supporters, that's right near the top of the list.

But that's America these days. We want a Jack Bauer to take out all our agression and vent our anger. But if we treat everyone like they're the 20th hijacker, we're going to breed even more resentment than we already do.

Well too bad if we dare offend anyone bent on plucking out our eyeballs or making use of a power drill that is not in the home depot instructions. God forbid a barking dog or underwear should be put to abuse. Does anyone understand that the no fight back and forgive attitude invites the worst human abuse possible from these people who are given a moral license for their behavior by the apologists? Now I must sleep at night knowing the condition of the body of that young man now confirmed dead and in such a state the media will not tell us more about it. I do not suggest this justifies any behavior on our part. But I don't see the justification of resentment for this behavior on anybody elses.


The real Jack Bauers of our country don't get the glory. But they do spend much time getting pissed on!

[Diesel66]

The UN allows genocide to happen at their doorsteps but they attack the US ?

[Kytro]

The UN is a weak organisation (on purpose). In any case they should try people or release them and shouldn't try to drive them insane