Amnesty International Report Criticizes Detention Policy on Counter Terrorism War

On April 14, 2002, Amnesty International released a 63-page report entitled “Memorandum to the U.S. Government on the Rights of People in U.S. Custody in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay,” which in detailed terms criticizes the failure of the U.S. Government to comply with international law standards in the detention and treatment of detainees in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. The memorandum explains that all person under any from of detention or imprisonment, including prisoners of war and other person arrested, detained or interned for reasons related to armed conflict, have numerous fundamental rights recognized under international human right and humanitarian law. The memorandum concludes by requesting that the U.S. Government assess all its action concerning those it custody in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay and ensure that it complies not only with U.S. law, but also with international human rights and humanitarian law. Al asks the U.S. to ensure that special Justice Department team under to Solicitor General meet legal challenges to the government’s policy relating to the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay and to fully respects its legally binding obligations under international human rights law.