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US Holds P.O.W.s Under 16 Years Old

Apr 22, 2003 7:16 PM
Tags: humanrights, law, politics, terror, war
How can our government justify this? I mean they are combatants and likely future enemies of the US, but isn't there something called Human Rights? Reports the Australian Broadcasting Corporation:
Children held at Camp Xray, US admits

The US military has revealed it is holding juveniles at its high-security prison for terrorists at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, known as Camp Xray.

The commander of the joint task force at Guantanamo, Major General Geoffrey Miller, says more than one child under the age of 16 is at the detention centre.

However, Maj Gen Miller has revealed little more about their welfare.

Maj Gen Miller says the US is holding "juvenile enemy combatants" at the centre, confirming rumours of children being held.

He has refused to reveal how many there are, their exact ages or their countries of origin.

He says they are being well cared for and are kept in facilities separate to adult prisoners.

The children are still being interrogated and will continue to be held at Guantanamo.

About 660 prisoners are in the camp.

They have not been tried or convicted of any offence but are being held as part of what the US calls its war on terror.
(via Atrios)
Comments: US Holds P.O.W.s Under 16 Years Old

Disturbing to say the least. I've got no problem with the US gov going after terrorists in a very active manner. I do however have a problem with them not giving some kind of due process/formal charge. I also don't like the fact that people are being held without their names being revealed to the public. This system is ripe for abuse. Checks and balances people, yeesh.

Posted by: James on April 22, 2003 9:11 PM | permalink

This is what happens when Ashcroft gets oversight on anything. This is unconstitutional and undemocratic.

I am in favor of the "enemy combatant" status and detaining them, but not ad infinitum without trial, without any standard of determining when the threat is suppressed (under Geneva Conventions you must release _all_ prisoners at the cessation of active hostilities), etc.

Posted by: Daniel Grossberg on April 23, 2003 4:47 AM | permalink

James: What gets me most is that these are freaking kids.

Dan: The "War on Terrorism" is still ongoing; I'm sure that's how they justify it. (And, in any case, we still have troops in Afghanistan, fighting.)

Posted by: Joe Grossberg on April 23, 2003 8:51 AM | permalink

No more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.