NEWS: U.N. Refuses To Probe Allegations of Guantanamo Bay Abuse

The U.N. decided it would not accept a Cuban proposal to investigate alleged abuse of detainees by the United States at a U.S. Navel Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. With more countries abstaining as approving the vote, the U.S. will not face a United Nations investigation.




The United States has avoided a request "to authorize an impartial and independent fact-finding mission" to the military base. The U.S. has repeatedly denied allegations of abuse, stating a reputation of leadership in worldwide human rights. Some of those voting against the request stated that the United States has begun to resolve the allegations internally thourgh recent court actions. Others have cited allowed visits by the International Red Cross to detainees in Guantanomo.

Critics claim the United States has setup a camp to house political and national security enemies, without providing the detainees a due process of law. At least one Cuban delegate blaims the initiative's failure on an atmosphere of fear towards the U.S.

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[edit on 21-4-2005 by cohiba]

It is interesting that this resolution was put forward by Cuba, as Cuba has continually refused to allow the commision to investigate human rights abuses in it's own country.

Reuters had some other things to say that are interesting:

Dutch ambassador Ian de Jong, speaking for the EU, said that the bloc saw no need for a separate investigation because the United States was already in discussions with the U.N. about allowing special rights investigators to visit Guantanamo.

And:

Canada abstained in the vote for a similar reason. But both Ottawa's delegate Ian Ferguson and de Jong said that they hoped Washington would agree to the U.N. visits to Guantanamo soon.

I agree with the position of the majority of the delegates in that a mission of some type from the U.N. should be encouraged to take an in depth look into the situation of the detainees in Gitmo. This issue needs to be either put to rest as a non-issue, or infractions need to be brought to light so those responsible can be brought to justice.

Either way, it's time for this to be resolved.