U.N. Human Rights Council investigates and reports on the U.S.

Link
Would you believe that the U.N. special investigative reporter on torture is now turning his attention to the United States? Manfred Nowark recieves his orders from The U.N. Human Rights Commission where his investigative authority eminates. He doesn't have an army to help him gain access to prisoners in various countries suspected of torture and must rely on those same countries to allow him access. There is no shortage of cases to investigate from China to Georgia, from Nepal to Chile, Egypt, Syria and Algeria. But what makes this year's report so unusual, is his focus on Guantanamo Bay and the prisoners held by the United States.

In an article posted by Speigel Online Nowak criticized the harsh treatment of Prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq authorized by Sec. of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, as well as the tactics used at Guantanamo Bay where suspected terrorists are held indefinitely, without access to an independent court. He believes the U.S. has overstepped the boundaries of International Law and has recommended the closure of Guantanamo. Again quoting the Speigal article, "The US State Department rejected the report, saying it was "largely without merit," pointing out that the UN experts never set foot in Guantánamo Bay and claiming that the report had been based purely on hearsay. Washington had a point: Nowak had intended to inspect the detention camp personally. But US officials refused to let him go there and the limits to the rapporteur's possibilities were exposed once more. The inspection of Guantánamo was supposed to take place under the same conditions as prison inspections elsewhere in the world. Nowak was supposed to be able to talk to prisoners without the presence of any guards, but Rumsfeld has categorically refused to permit such talks. Nowak is welcome to inspect empty cells, Rumsfeld has said, but direct contact with the detainees is out of the question.

"In the end, it's just absurd," Nowak says. "The very government that urged China to respect the usual minimum standards during my visit to Beijing is now refusing to respect those standards itself."

The pride in America as the only country in the World with moral fiber and the leading bastion for freedom, has been tarnished forever. This has been brought to you by the "compassionate conservative" President Bush, his cohort VP Cheney, and this Administration of fear mongers who prey on your fears to keep you in check. If America has one chance left, it is to get rid of this Republican government monopoly in the 2006 elections, and to warn eager Democratic replacements that they had better restore decency and honor back to this country or we will deal with them in 2008 as well. Wake up America!! Speak out especially when it's not politically correct to initiate a conversation. Use work and social settings to raise the consciousness of your friends or acquaintances. It's time to awaken the sleeping giant- YOUR CONSCIENCE!