Justice prevails?

This week the military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay finally have started. The first to appear in front of the court is David Hicks, the "Australian Al-Quaida Terrorist". Whereas these tribunals were supposed to demonstrate to the world the justice of the US war on terror and open up the eyes of those sympathetic to the detainees, the effect (at least on me) seems to be rather reversed. First, from all I can see, Hicks is a total looser and absolutely small fry. Why he had to be detained in Guantanamo for five years and interrogated so harshly is completely beyond me.

The man has entered a guilty plea so as to be able to return to Australia, be it behind bars. I am sure that if I had been interrogated for five years in Guantanamo, I would plea guilty to just about anything, including flying both planes into the twin towers single-handedly, being the secret lover of the queen and setting up the Bid Bad Wolf to eat Little Red Riding Hood. Especially, if this would look like a way to be able to escape the US guards and interrogators. I will not go into the complaints voiced by Hicks' father that since being captured in Afghanistan he has suffered beatings, rape and forced injections in American custody, but I don't doubt for a minute that military interrogation is painful, humiliating and degrading.

Add to all this the complaints Mr. Hicks' lawyers had about their facilities to prepare a decent defense (two of his civilian lawyers were barred from the hearing on March 26) and the case against his military council, and NO WAY this is justice served.

Finally, given that only five of the approximately 500 inmates will be appearing before this court I dare to predict that these trials will only serve to anger those already leaning towards Al Quaida and will not convince those who need convincing that these are dangerous people. It will not do anything to regain the sympathy and support the USA enjoyed right after 9/11.

What a crock!