Topic > The debate over the closure of Guantanamo Bay

IndexIntroductionBodyConclusionIntroductionIn the modern world, society has become accustomed to the fear and anger of terrorism. While it may not be relevant in many countries, the topic of terrorism in high-risk countries, such as Iran or Afghanistan, is much more evident. 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 future plans. In reality, Guantanamo Bay shows a dark side, as the prison is well known for horror rather than good. Over the years, the United States has earned a bad reputation because of Guantanamo, as many humane activist groups and foreign countries have condemned Gitmo for its abhorrent actions. While some may assume that maintaining the infamous camp is the best solution to house these terrorists, closing Guantanamo Bay puts an end to the abuse, torture, injustice, and wasteful expenditure of government funds. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Body When people first hear about Gitmo, they often remember the horrific actions that the American government imposed on these inmates. While some may argue that torture is the best option for these alleged terrorists, this draws the line at how harsh these acts of misery are used on these people. One of the most controversial methods of abuse was the inmates' hunger strike, during which camp medical authorities administered force-feeding. In an open letter, published by the Guardian, inmates express the pain they face when a tube is inserted into their nose and/or mouth, citing that “the process of having a tube repeatedly inserted into your nose and throat [. ..] keeping ourselves in a state of semi-starvation is extremely painful and the conditions in which it is done are abusive” (Chekkouri, et al.). They are fed against their will, sometimes suffocating on nutrients provided by medical authorities. Many force-fed inmates are unable to opt out, attempting to wriggle out of the tubes that would eventually end up in their systems. Confined in chains or restrained by officers, this type of abuse can cause lasting pain and torture that no human being should suffer. The pain inflicted on Gitmo's prisoners has led to trauma, as many are confined and tormented. In an interview with Vice News' former Guantanamo detainees, Ruhal Ahmed talks about his experience in the detention camp. He mentions how “some inmates were [...] physically strong enough to overcome it and move on with their lives [...] other inmates were not. Many of them attempted suicide […],” citing how their health worsened as they spent 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 in tears or being shackled 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 numerous suicides and suicide attempts carried out by the camps. For such a worrying prison with suspected dangerous terrorists, the suffering imposed on these inmates crosses the line of human rights. Guantanamo Bay is infamous for housing the world's most dangerous terrorists. In reality, this is evidently false, as many of the camp's inmates have notany link or evidence linking them to any form of terrorism. This results in many of them being unfairly imprisoned and, in the absence of trials, forces these prisoners to be held for years without good reason. Some, in fact, are famous terrorists, but most have no connection to terrorism. Indeed, it is also reported that “the Pentagon's own records suggest that the military made numerous mistakes in sending people to Guantánamo and holding them there without charges or trials” (Fisher). The newspaper later mentions how many of these detainees were not obtained from the battlefields, but rather from the streets and locations across Europe/Middle East, without any justification. Hence, the US government wastes thousands, even millions, of dollars on innocent detainees awaiting due process and freedom. Without the possibility of a trial or charges against them, many live a harsh lifestyle at Guantanamo Bay, something many do not deserve. Some don't even know why they are stuck in Gitmo, as many are transferred without any explanation. One of the detainees of a group called the Bosnian Six discovered that he had been locked up in Gitmo because he was accused of conspiring to bomb the US embassy in Sarajevo. He then expresses his suffering and mentions that "these accusations were just made against me [...] Not a single one mentioned the issue of the embassy, ​​the terrorist organization, [and] the Algerian Islamic organization" (Fisher). Without knowing why they are being held in Guantanamo, they can barely defend themselves from their actions. They are forced to wait months, sometimes years, to find out what they are being convicted of. In some scenarios, these circumstances are deemed false, forcing them to waste months of their life in prison. With no known information about their convictions and waiting years for a trial, this time could have been used to amass evidence and defend themselves with the help of lawyers, but many discover their convictions long after they have been sent to Gitmo. Guantanamo Bay is not just a prison for terrorists, but a place where innocent people are held captive for years without any reason. Maintaining Guantanamo Bay is extremely expensive, as it employs over 1,800 soldiers and medical consultants, along with 40 detainees. Colonel Morris David, former chief prosecutor of the military commissions, states in an interview that America “has invested about 6.5 billion dollars 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 reported that the money used at Gitmo could have gone to other programs, such as education or veterans. Most of the reported $6 billion went to prisoners, and in recent years, it has increased to “$11 million per prisoner per year” (Rosenberg). The $6.5 billion represents a waste of money for the American government and its citizens, as these prisoners could be transferred to other prisons or returned to their home countries. In the scenario where their home country does not accept them, there are a number of maximum security prisons holding terrorists as dangerous as those at Guantánamo, all for a fraction of the cost. Throughout its history, most of the detainees have been transferred to other prisons/countries over the years, making it possible to transfer the remaining 40. The closure of Guantanamo Bay saves millions of dollars for the future, allowing for use the money saved on critical and necessary programs. Many Americans believe that Guantanamo Bay is.