Griper Blade: It's not Torture, It's Coercion

Like everything this administration is responsible for, the detainee facility at Guantanamo Bay is controversial. There have been allegations of torture and abuse, religious insults, detainment of the innocent without charge or trial, and people brought in by a bounty system that amounts to human trafficking. Despite assurances that Guantanamo holds 'the worst of the worst,' hundreds have been released without charge, trial, or apology.

Given everything we know about Gitmo, we should've seen this coming:

BBC News:

The US defence department has outlined new rules that could allow terror suspects to be imprisoned on the basis of hearsay or coerced testimony.

The Pentagon has sent the draft of a new manual for trying detainees at Guantanamo Bay to Congress.

Judges would have wide latitude to decide what evidence may be presented.

The full manual is available here (PDF).

This is a document created by people without shame or wisdom. It reveals that the Defense Department is so unsure of the guilt of detainees that it they won't be able to see classified evidence against them. "Actually things are worse under this new system," said Maj. Michael Mori, the Pentagon-appointed lawyer for Australian detainee David Hicks...

[CLICK TO READ FULL POST]

Tags: news | politics | law | Bush | Guantanamo | terrorism | torture | abuse | Department of Defense | detainees