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  • Essay / The Guantanamo Bay Closure Debate

    Table of ContentsIntroductionBodyConclusionIntroductionIn the modern world, society has become accustomed to the fear and anger of terrorism. Although it may not be topical in many countries, the topic of terrorism is much more present in high-risk countries, such as Iran or Afghanistan. In the United States, the government has its own way of dealing with terrorists: Guantanamo Bay. Founded in 2002, according to the Britannica School, it is a camp where "Muslim militants and suspected terrorists" are brought, primarily for interrogation to obtain information about terrorist groups and their actions or plans. future. In reality, Guantanamo Bay has a darker side, as the prison is well known for horror rather than good. Over the years, the United States has gained a bad reputation because of Guantanamo, as many humanitarian activist groups and foreign countries have condemned Gitmo for its sickening actions. Although some may assume that maintaining the infamous camp will be the best option for housing these terrorists, closing Guantanamo Bay puts an end to the abuse, torture, injustice and wasteful spending of government funds. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayBodyWhen people first hear about Gitmo, they often remember the horrific actions the U.S. government imposed on these detainees. Although some may argue that torture is the best option for these so-called terrorists, this shows the extent to which these acts of misery are applied to these people. One of the most controversial methods of abuse has been the detainee hunger strike, during which camp medical authorities force-feed them. In an open letter published by the Guardian, inmates express the pain they feel when having a tube inserted into their nose and/or mouth, citing that the "process of repeatedly forcing a tube into our nose and in our throats [. ..] keeping us in a state of semi-starvation is extremely painful and the conditions in which this is done are abusive” (Chekkouri, et al.). They are fed against their own will, sometimes choking on nutrients provided by medical authorities. Many force-fed inmates are unable to escape and attempt to move away from the tubes that would eventually fall into their system. Chained or restrained by officers, this type of abuse can cause lasting pain and torture that no human being should experience. The pain inflicted on Gitmo prisoners has led to trauma, as many of them are confined and tormented. In a Vice News interview with former Guantanamo detainees, Ruhal Ahmed talks about his experience at the detention camp. He mentions that "some inmates were [...] physically strong enough to overcome this situation and continue their lives [...] others were not. Many of them attempted suicide […],” citing how their health deteriorated over time locked in a prison filled with torment (Ahmed 3:16). Their mental health is ruined when they face humiliation, such as force-feeding and choking on their tears or being chained and tortured into sharing information they may or may not have. Some believed that suicide was the only way to end the pain and psychological torture, hence the many suicides and attempted suicides committed from the camps. For such a disturbing prison where dangerous suspected terrorists live, the suffering imposed on these inmates exceeds thelimits of human rights. Guantanamo Bay is infamous for hosting the world's most dangerous terrorists. In reality, this is obviously false, as many of the camp's inmates have no ties or evidence linking them to any form of terrorism. This results in many people being wrongly imprisoned and, in the absence of a trial, forces these detainees to be detained for years without good reason. Some are indeed notable terrorists, but most have no connection to terrorism itself. In fact, it is also reported that "the Pentagon's own records suggest that the military made numerous mistakes in sending people to Guantanamo and detaining them there without charge or trial" (Fisher). The newspaper later mentions how many of these detainees were not obtained on battlefields, but rather on the streets and in locations across Europe and the Middle East, without any justification. The US government is wasting thousands, if not millions, of dollars on innocent detainees awaiting a fair trial and freedom. Without the possibility of trial or charges being brought against them, many of them endure a difficult lifestyle in Guantanamo Bay, something many do not deserve. Some people also don't know why they are stuck in Gitmo since many are transferred without explanation. One of the detainees from a group called the Bosnian Six discovered he had been placed in Gitmo because he was accused of plotting to bomb the US embassy in Sarajevo. He expressed his distress at the time and cited that "these accusations were simply brought to my attention [...] Not even one mentioned the embassy affair, the terrorist organization, [ and] the Algerian Islamic organization” (Fisher). Without knowing why they are being held at Guantanamo, they can barely defend themselves from their actions. They are forced to wait months, sometimes years, to find out what they are sentenced to. In some scenarios, these circumstances are found to be false, causing them to lose months of their life in prison. With no information known about their conviction and waiting years for a trial, this time could have been used to accumulate evidence and defend themselves with the help of lawyers, but many find out about their conviction long after being sent to Gitmo. Guantanamo Bay is not only a prison for terrorists, but also a place where innocent people are held captive for years for no reason. Guantanamo Bay is extremely expensive to maintain, with more than 1,800 troops and medical advisors, as well as 40 detainees. Colonel Morris David, former chief prosecutor of the military commissions, states in an interview that America "has invested approximately $6.5 billion in detention at Guantanamo Bay [...]", and also comments how "[ inmates] could have been housed in federal prison for a fraction of the cost” (Borger and Smith). Critics have reported that money used on Gitmo could have been directed to other programs, such as education or veterans. Most of the reported $6 billion has gone to prisoners, and in recent years it has increased to “$11 million per prisoner per year” (Rosenberg). The $6.5 billion is a waste of money for the U.S. government and its citizens because these prisoners could be transferred to other prisons or sent back to their home countries. In the event that their home country does not accept them, there are a number of supermax prisons that hold dangerous terrorists like those at Guantanamo, all for a fraction of the cost. Throughout its history, the majority of detainees have been transferred to »..