Today, Explained Why is Guantanamo still open?
Sep 27, 2021
Jasmine El-Gamal, a senior manager for MENA at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and former Defense Dept. advisor, shares insights on the challenges of closing Guantanamo Bay. Mansur Adhaifi, a former detainee and author, recounts his 14 years of detention, revealing the emotional and psychological struggles faced. They discuss the implications of Guantanamo's continued existence, the complex identity misconceptions surrounding it, and the broader issues of justice and national security in today's context.
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Justification for Guantanamo
- The Bush administration justified Guantanamo Bay by labeling detainees "enemy combatants" rather than prisoners of war.
- This allowed them to bypass the Geneva Conventions due to the "new type of war".
Wrongful Detentions
- During the early stages of the war on terror, confusion led to the detention of many innocent people in Afghanistan.
- Arabs and Afghans were targeted based on their ethnicity, with bounties offered for their capture.
Delayed Due Process
- Detainees at Guantanamo Bay often waited years before learning the reasons for their detention.
- The review boards were not legally recognized, leading many detainees to refuse participation.
