The Iraq “detainee/prisoner” abuse scandal and abuse scandals at other United States detainee facilities have yet to be totally determined. These “detainee/prisoner” abuse situations would not have mushroomed as they have were it not for the arbitrary and secret environments they are cast into.
In contrast, consider our criminal system where “suspects/prisoners” are given a Miranda warning, allowed a phone call, get legal representation and can have visitors. Here, our rule of law system works because a humane system of transparency, respect and openness discourages dark and secret environments.
The United States can regain our moral high ground by prosecuting those who aid and abet detainee abuse, adapting our rule of law systems for “all” detainees, reaffiliating with the International Criminal Court treaty and more truly interacting with other nations.
John Bauer
Martinez, Calif.
