Clive Stafford Smith: Guantanamo Bay prisoners have a right to fair trial
From the Butterworths' lecture by the human rights lawyer, given at Queen Mary College, University of London
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The politics of hatred is affecting the American judiciary system, in particular those detained in Guantanamo Bay.
The politics of hatred is affecting the American judiciary system, in particular those detained in Guantanamo Bay.
Guantanamo Bay is a closed legal system. Nobody has access to the 680 detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay, except for the one human rights lawyer who has been given permission to represent those convicted.
These detainees will not be given fair trials by the American judiciary - there will be no appeals process if they lose - nor the right to compensation if they are found innocent.
A Guantanamo Bay prosecutor recently admitted that up to 30 per cent of those detained may be innocent. If a prosecution lawyer is admitting to 30 per cent, then I believe the figure to be much higher.
Hypocrisy is the yeast of hatred that makes hatred ferment upwards. The US government is determined to undermine the disadvantaged; to encourage people to hate those who cannot help themselves. I worked with death row prisoners for years because I despise the notion that we should pick on people who cannot defend themselves. It is such a joy to have the opportunity to use the power that you have as a lawyer to help people who really need it.
The US government must take responsibility for its actions and try the Guantanamo Bay detainees in a fair, equitable and open judiciary system. Levelling the playing field for people who are hated is a wonderful experience, and it can only be hoped that the field be levelled for those being detained in Guantanamo Bay.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments