The International Red Cross Report has confirmed that prisoners held for 3 years by the U.S. in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are being tortured. Initially, the prisoners -- rounded up for their alleged association to terrorist activities leading to 911 -- lived in steel-mesh cages called "Camp X-ray." Subsequently, they were moved into solid buildings, with plumbing and ventilation. They are allowed outside only twice a week for exercise. According to reports, they have been exposed to physical and psychological coercion including sleep deprivation, solitary confinement, humiliating acts, temperature extremes, use of forced positions and beatings and have suffered from mental illness caused by stress and more. Some of these prisoners are children and elderly people. U.S. officials insist that there is nothing inhumane about the treatment of the prisoners. A prisoner hunger strike and suicides drew national attention to the situation.

The fact that the prisoners are not considered prisoners of war but are "unlawful combatants" means that they can be detained indefinitely. The U.S. maintains that these prisoners are still threats to the nation, though their chargers still remain unspecified.

People representing the U.S. feel that torture is justified if it could prevent events leading to situations like 911. Others feel that this activity could completely undermine the U.S. to get international support for foreign policy. In the words of journalist Molly Ivans, "If we break international law and the conventions of warfare, then the same thing can be done to American soldiers who are captured abroad. Any country can use exactly the same lame rationale about "enemy combatants" to torture American troops in any kind of conflict. Then we would protest to the Red Cross, of course."

There are 3 youths between the ages of 13 and 15 detained in this camp. How would you feel if this happened to you? Do you think that the end justifies the means and that it is okay to detain these people for three years without specific charges in the name of "national security?" If you knew, without a doubt, that these people were true threats, would it be okay to torture them to gain information? Would it be okay to torture them if you believed you were ultimately saving lives? Would it be okay to torture them because they might have tortured you or someone you love? Where do you draw the line about what is morally and ethically correct here?

For more information, check out:

• What's Going On - Is the U.S. Torturing Unlawful Combatants?
  
• Evidence Gained by Torture Allowed
  
• Is This American?
  
• Justice or Revenge?

Look into your own conscience and then FACE OFF!

P.S. Think this doesn't give the full or accurate view of this issue? GOOD! Please help fill in the gaps.

unfortunatly many americans seem to be swept up in the wave of new legislation aimed at counter-terrorism, which systematically reduces the rights of citizens in the name of national-security, the same goes for the condonement of terrorism by people such as Cheney who openly admitted to simulated drowning as a valid technique...it leads people to believe it is ok in the interest of national-security, but what it really is doing is giving the green-light for the US to further its aims and national interests via the use of torture, which is morally wrong and will corode what is left of Americas reputation until it cannot be stood any longer by the international community and those responsible brought to justice.

Perhaps the beginnings of this are appearing, a humanitarian group is trying to bring Rumsfeld to trial in Germany on charges relating to Abu Ghraib and other humanitarian offences.

If we wish to combat torture it should be possible to try and punish leaders of powerful nations, before or after they leave power.

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We claim to be the good guys, but we're torturing prisoners just like all the "evil" nations did. Japan, Germany, they tortured POWs during WW2. How are we any different?

As of now we are not different clpo.

Lookup Principle of Universal Equality, it gives some pretty compeling moral reasons to discard torture. Notably, we recur to it when it suits us, but we do not apply it to others when conflict occurs.

There is no way that torture can be justified. In this situation it is even worse because there was never any proof that these people did anything. I can only imagine the fuss we would make if other countries were doing this to us. Not to mention that if you are torturing people to the point that they would commit suicide, then what are the chances that they won't tell you a false confession just to get out of it.

Final words: No way is torture alright

In terms of torture being justified *generally* I'm not sure. How do you draw the line between torture and intimidation when interrogating any suspect?
However, I think that brutal torture is counter-productive because the aim is to get a confession. And if you put people under enough pressure they will give a *false* confession. So not only is it inhumane, it is also a flawed method.
I am *definitely* against torture in guantanamo, because for one thing there's no evidence that any of the people held there did anything wrong (hence me wondering whether it would qualify as a concentration camp).

If they are being held there legitimately, then why is a fuss kicked up every time a fair trial is suggested? The whole thing reeks of foul play.

To imprison and torture men that are not proven criminals, to drive some to suicide, is a terrible crime. I find complacency about guantanamo sickening. The US is such a hypocritical world power. It claims to fight against brutal regimes, and then shows complete disregard for human rights itself.

-Pen

toture is never EVER justified. it is the lowest form of human nature and is truly disgusting.

Torture can be defiened two ways, psychological and phyiscal. Both are wrong. I don't care where your from or who you work for being torutured is wrong. Evey human being has rights and torture violates those rights it should be stopped .And there is no justification for crimes such as these.

has anyone taken the time to DEFINE torture? what are we dealing with here? if its sawing people heads off and ripping their fingernails off then NO torture is not justifiable. but as far as stress and duress is concerned, GO FOR IT! if the *******s have vital information that could affect the lives of millions on innocent people, are you going to stand in the corner and talk about human rights? well what about MY rights as a law abiding, non-crazy person to be protected by my government??? sure these people are human and should not come to bodily harm but, i say, if the situation is intense enough then there is nothing wrong with refusing food or sleep until the sucker talks.

How is torture anywhere near being justified?
It sounds like a sick way for some twisted person to get their pleasure. The humiliations that some of the Iraqi prisoners have been put thru is something that no one should have to face, whether they have information or not. Torture shouldnt even be a religious issue, this should just be a common issue that everyone of every race, religion, creed, or nationality should speak out about. and why should we torture people just because terrorists are? Are we not fighting terrorists? then why are we sinking to that level and torturing people? its sick, to be frank, indescribabley gruesome and disgusting. there is no describing it.

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Originally posted by robinyobin:
Torture is not justified, nor is killing of any kind. There is no argument and no excuses. Anyone who kills somebody should be punished. That doesn't mean that somebody who kills in self-defense should be punished in the same way as a mass murderer -- but they should both be punished.

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So, you're saying that if a person was in U.S. custody and, let's say, knew where and when a terrorist attack was going to happen, the torture of that person is not justified? It's the whole philosophy of sacrificing one man to save the rest. Will you really just sit there and twiddle your thumbs, hoping for the best? No, you will do whatever you have to as a country to obtain the information.

I agree with Maya on the self defense issue. Why should you be punished for an action that was basic instinct? If a guy is running at you with a knife, I doubt you would sit there and smile as it rammed into you...

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Originally posted by robinyobin:
Torture is not justified, nor is killing of any kind. There is no argument and no excuses. Anyone who kills somebody should be punished. That doesn't mean that somebody who kills in self-defense should be punished in the same way as a mass murderer -- but they should both be punished.

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I disagree on the self defense bit, I think if someone kills in self defense(meaning it was he/she or the persona attacking) they should not be punished at all.

its so unjustified! total violation of the geneva convention(i think) which almost no country that signed it follows. abuse is already plentiful in this world, and it needs to stop! tina

Torture is not justified, nor is killing of any kind. There is no argument and no excuses. Anyone who kills somebody should be punished. That doesn't mean that somebody who kills in self-defense should be punished in the same way as a mass murderer -- but they should both be punished.

If innocent people are being punished for the doings of their kind, its unfair to the human society. Think about it, if they started doing that to us, it would tourture our country, and the people in it. The term respect needs to be put in use with the innocent and their country.

peace,
i think that if antone has adequate info, and he/she thinks with her own mind in terms of true humanity, only then can they judge, or even comment. otherwise, we r all giving our opinions for the castle in the skies.

i think i get what "Jugglerofdooom" is trying to say, and
i agree.

Not in this case. But for other cases, the rules must be changed & I'm sure even a DIE HARD human rights activist(like me) would be willing to give up his rights for security reasons.
A new legislation must be introduced and a monitoring body be created to legalise torture during extracting confessions(RAREST OF RARE CASES) with a LIE DETECTER.

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Originally posted by CelticNewAger:
Self defense, if the person is after you, stalking, the person murdered a loved one/family member, stuff like that.

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ok, in that case I agree

Self defense, if the person is after you, stalking, the person murdered a loved one/family member, stuff like that.

when do you think it's necessary?Like in self defense and stuff like that do you mean?Just wondering

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Torture.....an example of this is when the Spaniards colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years.... and tortured all the women too. That is torture... also, a criminal can spend his days in prison for the rest of his life for all i care as long as he stays there and doesnt escape. Killing is just another form of violence and it should be stopped. No more bloodshed.

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All killing is wrong? Murdering is wrong, killing, when necesarry, is not.

You probably won't understand that, but just re-read it and think about it. No it's not a death threat.