When We Torture

Nicholas Kristof wrote an article in today’s New York Times, When We Torture, that mentions Adel Hamad’s unconscionable detention. The article focuses on the treatment of one of the other Sudanese detainees, Al Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Hajj, who remains in Guantanamo to this day. He has been on a hunger strike protesting the abuse he has suffered during his six year detention.

One indication that the government doesn’t take its own charges seriously, the lawyers say, is that the United States offered al-Hajj a deal: immediate freedom if he would spy on al-Jazeera. Al-Hajj refused.

Kristof continues:

Al-Hajj cannot bend his knees because of abuse he received soon after his arrest, yet the toilet chair he was prescribed was removed - making it excruciating for him to use the remaining squat toilet. He is allowed a Koran, but his glasses were confiscated so he cannot read it.

All this is inhumane, but also boneheaded. Guantánamo itself does far more damage to American interests than al-Hajj could ever do.

To stand against torture and arbitrary detention is not to be squeamish. It is to be civilized.

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