Britain's Attorney General, Peter Goldsmith has called on the United States to close down Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba, saying that it has become a symbol of injustice.
'The existence of Guantanamo Bay remains unacceptable. It is time, in my view, that it should close,' Goldsmith announced. 'I believe it would also help to remove what has become a symbol to many, right or wrong, of injustice.
Goldsmith explained that, 'The historic tradition of the United States as a beacon of freedom, liberty and of justice deserves the removal of this symbol.'
He added, "Where we depart from traditional ways of guaranteeing civil liberties we should be clear that our actions are proportionate to the threat and needed to meet it."
The United States is still holding approximately 500 prisoners at Guantanamo Bay prison. Most of them have been labeled as 'enemy combatants' and have been denied the right to due process guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. Many of the prisoners have been held for three or more years without being charged with any crime and have been denied the right to meet with their attorneys or hear the evidence against them.
There have also been allegations of torture at Gitmo and many inmates have gone on numerous hunger strikes to protest conditions there.
Thus far, President Bush has refused all calls from the United Nations and human rights organizations to close Gitmo. He calls the detention center a 'necessary' part of his war on terror.
