CategoriesJoin Us At:
|
Obama's Child SoldiersSix days after the inauguration of President Obama, the U.S. is scheduled to begin the first trial of a child soldier accused of war crimes since World War II. This video shows why President Obama must take swift action to end the unconstitutional military commissions, and why he must bring the United States back in line with the rule of law and treaties it has signed regarding the treatment of juveniles who have been recruited or used in armed conflict.
Here is some background to the trial set for January 26: Canadian citizen Omar Khadr was 15 years old when he was captured in Afghanistan in the midst of a firefight that seriously injured Khadr and resulted in the death of a U.S. solider. Khadr was sent to Guantánamo where he was been held for 7 years — one-third of his life. He was beaten, subject to painful stress position and even used as a “human mop” after he urinated on the floor during one interrogation. Under these conditions, the prosecution of Khadr raises grave concerns about the rule of law and underscores how unconstitutional the military commissions are. President Obama must end them as he has promised. Doing so will spare ACLU client Mohammed Jawad from trial in an illegal system. Jawad was sent to Guantánamo after he was captured at about age 16 at the scene of a grenade attack in Afghanistan that injured two U.S. soldiers. Afghan authorities threatened Jawad with his death, and that of his family, if he didn’t confess to the attack. Based on the resulting false “confession” Jawad was transferred to U.S. custody, where he was further abused, and then to Guantánamo. Among other forms of cruel treatment he suffered at Guantánamo, Jawad was subjected to the so-called “frequent flyer” program, where he was moved every few hours — 112 times over two weeks — to deny him sleep. His trial date under the military commissions has not been set because the Bush administration has appealed the military judge’s decision to suppress torture-derived “confessions”. The appeals court decision is pending. Join the ACLU in calling on President-elect Obama to immediately shut down the military commissions operating at Guantánamo.
Tags: Close Guantanamo, Omar Khadr, video
We intend the comments portion of this blog to be a forum where you can freely express your views on blog postings and on comments made by other people. Given that, please understand that you are responsible for the material you post on the comments portion of this blog. The only postings that we ask that you refrain from posting and that we cannot permit on our website are requests for legal assistance and postings that could cause ACLU to incur legal liability.
One important law in that regard is the prohibition on politically partisan activity. Given our nonprofit status, we may not endorse or oppose candidates for elective office. That means we cannot host comments on our site that show a preference for one candidate or party. Although we in no way wish to discourage you from that activity elsewhere, we ask that you not engage in that activity on our website (or include links to other websites that do so). Additionally, given that we are subject to very specific rules concerning the collection of personally identifying information through our website (names, email addresses, home address, financial information, etc.), we ask that you not use the comments portion of this blog to solicit this information from users of our website. We also ask that you not use the comments portion for advertising or requests for legal assistance, and do not add to your comment links to other websites, as we cannot be responsible for the content on other websites. We are not able to respond to unsolicited inquiries, complaints or requests for assistance sent to this blog. Please direct your complaint or request for assistance to the ACLU affiliate in your state. Requests for legal assistance left in the blog comments will not receive a response or be published. Finally, the ACLU cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information in the comment section and expressly disclaims any liability for any information in this section. 61 Responses to "Obama's Child Soldiers" |
|
© ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004 |
Jan 14th, 2009 at 11:54pm
... and then what?
Jan 15th, 2009 at 1:41am
I completely agree with the statement made in the video that "if Khadr had committed a crime, he should be tried in US Federal Court," and I of course disagree with the manner of the detentions being practiced by the US government in Guantanamo.
However, the ACLU is adopting tactics of sensationalism here. For one thing, it's not unheard of for minors are to be tried as adults in US Federal Court. The ACLU here shows videos of the clearly unhappy subjects to make us feel sympathetic, but that type of complaining is fairly typical of anyone who is imprisoned--it obviously sucks to be in jail, especially, I'm sure, for years without due process. I am not suggesting that the benefit of the doubt be extended to the people operating Guantanamo, only that here the opposite is taking place. The ACLU is leading the viewer toward conclusions it isn't fair to make. No evidence is offered for the "human mop" thing or the other claims made in this case, although the claims are stated as fact. An ACLU representative states that "his lawyers claim he is a victim of other combatants that used him as a child soldier." This is not the proper venue to air the claims of his lawyers, only that such a venue needs to be made available. It's a good point that the US is signatory to agreements regarding juveniles used in armed conflict, but this point is obscured and undermined by the sensational, unverifiable claims. it also looks a bit silly to go after Obama in this way before he's president, although I understand the time-sensitivity of the issue. Although I know I myself would be called a liberal, I'd understand accusations of "liberal hysteria" against the ACLU in this case. You're hardly making strict, specific legal arguments on behalf of civil liberties, here.
Jan 15th, 2009 at 9:40am
Obama will not shut down Guantanamo, nor will he prevent the US from torturing children, but thanks for your effort.
http://www.ryanhartman.wordpress.com
Jan 15th, 2009 at 2:49pm
Rainman: The ACLU recommends that detainees are tried in the U.S. federal courts, a time-tested system that has successfully tried terrorism suspects in the past, including Jose Padilla, Zacarias Moussaoui, and the perpetrators of the first World Trade Center bombing, or by court-martial. There is no need for the creation of National Security Courts or any other new judicial system, to bring these detainees to justice.
Jan 16th, 2009 at 4:47pm
Titling your article "Obama's Child Soldiers" is both inflammatory and patently unfair. Obama is not even president yet, and you're tagging him with this stuff? What a turn off.
Jan 17th, 2009 at 10:20pm
i believe that America should do what ever it takes to shut down the terrorists no matter what it takes.
Jan 20th, 2009 at 7:14pm
"He was beaten, subject [sic] to painful stress position and even used as a 'human mop' after he urinated on the floor during one interrogation."
Reminds me of my own childhood, but I suppose the ACLU doesn't care about youth rights unless the U.S. military is involved. The fact that young persons are treated as slaves is a non-issue here, just as my right to love is a non-issue here.
Jan 21st, 2009 at 6:50pm
I think the "obama's child soldiers" title is just soo intellectually dishonest. Obama will close Gitmo, end of story.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 3:30pm
I notice that on the ACLU homepage the headline changed from "Obama's Child Soldiers" to "Child Soldiers in Gitmo," although the former remains on this page. I'm sure that has something to do with the fact that Obama ordered the closure of Guantanamo today, so you no longer feel the need to go after him in such a dishonest and sensational manner, as though any of it were his fault, anyway. I hope the ACLU refrains from this sort of tactic in the future. It's beneath the organization and if anything it would prevent many people from taking you seriously.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 11:22pm
These bio's of child soldiers is laughable. I'm sure the author has unfettered access to the "Afgan authorities" who threatened this guy with his life if he didn't confess. This is unsubstantiated blather that is designed to fire up the gullable.
Those who take up arms against us do not deserve the same freedoms we enjoy. If not Gitmo then what? Let's let them go and be good guys.
Obama is dangerously underprepared for the position he has been elected to by his blind following. I fear we are rapidly beginning a very unpleasant journey that will gain him experience at the expense of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. The terrorists are, I'm sure taking note of our kinder, gentler stance.
Jan 23rd, 2009 at 8:17am
President Obama is now in charge and will do what is humane and right for our country. no one wants to see a child or anyone subjected to those very harsh conditions.
Jan 23rd, 2009 at 11:33am
If a 15 or 16 year old can toss a grenade and kill American Forces, than he can sit in prison for the rest of his life where he belongs. Things could always be worst if we use the same hateful techniques that the ragheads use when they capture POW's.
Jan 23rd, 2009 at 2:44pm
To the arab militia age does not matter.
This kid is probably laughing at you in your faces. And anyway, have you ever seen what they do to detainees there in their countries? I HAVE and this is kindergarten next to them.
Why don't you ask anyone who lost a brother, sister, daughter, son, friend on 9/11 what they think about this whole thing?
Jan 23rd, 2009 at 3:08pm
I bet any amount of money when that 15 year old goes home now that they have closed Gitmo that he will start laughing and go back to Afghanistan. Because even though he has a canadian citizenship he will go back to Afghanistan. They do worse stuff you know. And did you even begin to ask anyone who lost anyone in 9/11 what they thought and feel about the whole matter?
Jan 26th, 2009 at 6:14pm
hang him please
Jan 26th, 2009 at 11:45pm
As a soldier in the United States Army I have sworn an oath to protect the Constitution and the rights guarunteed by it. We must extend these rights to all people. I need to know what I'm defending. This line can not be blurred.
Jan 30th, 2009 at 11:07am
go obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! black ppl rule!!!
Feb 2nd, 2009 at 11:07pm
This title that you have for your story needs to be changed; "Obama's Child Soldiers." I take strong offense to it.
If anything, it is the United States' Child Soldiers. We should appreciate that Pres. Obama has passed one order which we all wanted: shut down Gitmo. We should learn some humility; it does not take away from one's larger ACLU principles in anyway. Indeed, it serves to hurt it.
Best Regards,
Rakesh
Thomas Cooley Law School, ACLU chapter
Feb 5th, 2009 at 8:00pm
I've listened to those two nut jobs who care for the juvenile thugs that were capture in Afganistan. They are enemy combatants and should be held accountable for their actions. When they are released, they will return and fight our service men and women again. Why don't these bleeding heart liberals adopt one of these detainies and try to bring them back to being civilized. Wait, can't do that, they'd be dead within 24 hours.
Feb 7th, 2009 at 10:47am
Boo hoo hoo send the ashore back to where he came from most Canadians do not want that kind of filth back Canada his whole family are terrorists.
To bad his suicide attemp failed.
Try helping the righteous instead of terrorists!!!!!
Feb 20th, 2009 at 1:02pm
this kid went through alot he should just be killed who knows if he threw that grenade or not but after that much torcher all hes going to want is revenge and that puts us the American people in danger
Mar 3rd, 2009 at 9:16pm
He's a terrorist and should be killed
Mar 11th, 2009 at 4:09pm
Ah. Who cares? Let the Republicans destroy the world and kill all of humanity including themselves. Hopefully themselves first. Then there will be less evil in the universe.
Do you care?
Mar 11th, 2009 at 4:18pm
Yes, kill everyone. All terrorists, all alleged terrorists, all thought-crime criminals, all pimpf-reported parents, all blacks, jews, arabs, whites, chinese, europeans, canadians, mexicans, american traitors who open their mouths believing in free speech. Free speech is only for the great leader, our fuhrer Busch. He and his Republican Reich are the true honorable successors to Adolf Hitler in a mutually assured nuclear anhiliated destruction of all enemies even if it means all of humanity dies. Then maybe little green men will come down to rescue Busch and his men so they can repopulate the Earth with their vermin again.
Mar 11th, 2009 at 4:49pm
It seems a lot of people commenting here don't understand the fact that the United States of America is a country held up as a beacon of light as a nation operating by
the rule of law in its dealings with its own citizens and those around the world. Because of the actions of corrupt American politicians with too much power, people
probably have become cynical and taken the view that whoever has the most power can do whatever they please so therefore we should all base our reasoning and
judgment on who has the most power and how to please them so we don't get put on their watch list.
It is only the fact that USA is a country in rule of law that we don't live under a dictator like Saddam Hussein, but instead voted out Bush and have a complete change
that a MAJORITY of Americans have respect for and can feel they have the freedom to live a normal, lawful life as a citizen in a country that is free from corruption,
tyranny and abuse.
People are not just animals to be controlled by brute force. We are all human beings with the capacity to understand that living in peace is better than depriving
others of their pursuit of peaceful happiness by abusing them with violence. Living under martial law in a police state under the Bush/Republican regime terrorizing its own citizens with the threat of false accusation and abuse of power by harrassing innocent citizens is NOT the ideal of America that its citizens support. That is why Obama was elected. That is also why our Amercian rule of law must be upheld and imposed in all parts of the country's operations including Guantanamo or elsewhere. There is nothing better than to be fully, and truthfully correct and right in the eyes and spirit of the law and the people that comprise this nation as a hope for modern civilization against tryanny and oppression.
Mar 11th, 2009 at 10:51pm
who knows, but the men that were there and GOD ALMIGHTY! GOD is the only one that should be judging all the world's problems. Stop trying to figure all of it out. GOD has already got it planned. I am going to start praying that I can go with him. It will be soon. I love all of you that read this message and hope you can let hatred leave you. bless you.
Mar 20th, 2009 at 12:26am
I guess the ACLU prefers to take the word of terrorists above the word of American soldiers.
Of course, that's all you think we are: a bunch of dumb thugs.
Next time a crazed jihadi comes bearing down on your politicallly correct asses, this "dumb thug" will still be defending the nation he loves.
Mar 31st, 2009 at 7:18pm
why wouldnt omar be tried in Canada? if an american citizen(especially a child) killed a citizen of any other country abroad, he would be eventually tried in america...how hypocritical...too bad the video doesnt even point this out.
It's in the papers all the time here in Canada, but alas, our government has no backbone.
Apr 6th, 2009 at 4:44am
Oh yeah lets close Gitmo, give AL Quaeda our M-16's and M-4's take off our soldiers boots and ask them to walk home.
What Liberal America needs is a 9/11 every month until it dawns on you hate AMerica first crowd that Your era is not the era that made AMerica FIRST to begin with -- so shut up!
Apr 6th, 2009 at 12:36pm
Obama’s Child Soldiers ?? Not a good title
I think "We the people" should shut down the ACLU.
I was beat as a child, spanked, I had to WORK as a child, no matter what.
You won't see kids now days doing anything other then text messaging and myspace, welcome to the world of wast of space.
Apr 9th, 2009 at 10:51am
what is my name
Apr 9th, 2009 at 10:53am
America rules, canada is gay, save the terrorist and put him to work at mcdonalds
Apr 9th, 2009 at 3:16pm
fuck em all i think no matter what they are enemies to the USA has everyone forgot about 911. They attacked us and dont deserve to be tortured but they are not US citizens they have no rights
Apr 9th, 2009 at 3:21pm
they do not have our rights and my grandparents were going to visit the towers that day.
i dont care what happens to th they deserve it all
they have no rights!!!
punish them by torture more than half of us like i.
Apr 17th, 2009 at 9:25am
FUCK HIM AND THE ACLU (AC FU)
Apr 17th, 2009 at 9:33am
OBAMA SUCKS WITH HIS WEAK ADMIN MIGHT AS WELL LET ALL TERRORISTS GO SO THEY GO OUT AND FIGHT AGAIN IDIOTS
Apr 17th, 2009 at 9:50am
FUCK HIM FUCK HIM FUCK HIM WHO ARE THESE TWO STUPIED WOMAN ON THIS CLIP
Apr 21st, 2009 at 11:16pm
You guys are a bunch of LIBERAL idiots. Why would you stand up for this terrorist, who cares if he was fifteen yrs old obviously he was involved someway or another in this firefight which killed an american soldier who is the true hero. You guys need to get your heads out of your liberal asses and start defending those who defend your rights and freedoms to put absurd articles up like this one. You people are the downfall of this great nation
Apr 22nd, 2009 at 5:07pm
HA! It's really funny how they used him as a mop. Since he is a terrorist they should chop of his dick.
Apr 23rd, 2009 at 12:05am
Why is it that the ACLU stands for American Civil Liberties Union but they show very little regard for American Citizens. They spend most of their time fighting for the rights of non-Americans. I hate that the ACLU thinks the world is Sunhine and roses. Wake up!!! Peace, love and Happiness. Thats not the way the world works. Do they really think when one of our military personal is captured that they are being treat ever so sweetly! WAKE UP!!!
Apr 24th, 2009 at 8:34am
I noticed how the ACLU is leaving out that the "Child Soldier" was DIRECTLY responsible for killing a Delta Force Operator, but hey, he was just a victim, sure he killed the American while he was wounded but he is just an innocent right? Yet another reason you guys lose any form of legitimacy. Also, curious, how does the ACLU think the Bill of Rights transfers over to War overseas? Hmm...oh, right..it doesn't, the Geneva Convention covers that.
May 1st, 2009 at 1:37am
The ACLU is made up of weak people that are not aware of what really goes on in the world. They don't realize that that there are people out there who want to hurt our way of life. Get a clue.
May 8th, 2009 at 12:43pm
Are you kidding me with this? How many times has anyone IN the ACLU been attacked by a "minor" in a combat zone? I can assure you age, sex, and race have no place in terrorist tactics aside from trying to skew the American media and worldwide liberal populations into believing we kill "innocent women and children" all the time. Give me a break. Wake the hell up. And as far as being used as a "human mop"...they pushed him down onto the ground? I've seen worse actions on school playgrounds among classmates. Quit your crying you sissies. Leave the battlefield problems to the military unless you want to go to the front lines yourselves where you can go get your "evidence" first hand.
May 8th, 2009 at 12:49pm
Lawful Citizen: Are you drunk? LOL
May 11th, 2009 at 1:01pm
I'm sure that if I was involved, then arrested & taken into custody I would say "I didn't do it" along with all kinds of other crap. Since when do the majority of criminals say they are guilty?! Let's go ahead and hold ACLU trails for everyone in our own prison system that says they are innocent! Only 1/2 of .5% of the American public is in the military. They understand way more than everyone else the capabilities of child soldiers. If that kid killed your son/daughter/spouse...would you feel bad for him?
May 13th, 2009 at 7:36pm
US Army invaded IRAK without the back-up of UN. Saddam Hussein had no link to 911 and Al Qaida. US went to the wrong target, killed thousands and thousands of civilianss, bombed hospital, destroyed families, rapped women, killed anybody they found suspicious, destroyed unique cultural site, robbed museum, picked up local victims (innocent) or people defending their country against an invader (US),jailled them in IRAK as terrorist and tortured them without any fair judgement in mind. Just as NAZI did in occupied Europe in WW2.
American Citizen are so selfish, ignorant and easy to get scared. Always asking to take revenge... American with all those feeling in mind don't belong to humanity anymore. Obama arrived too late.
May 15th, 2009 at 2:09pm
I believe we have not had an attack on U.S. soil since 9/11 so I think whatever they are doing to protect us is working and nothing is off limits.
May 16th, 2009 at 6:39pm
I am currently doing research to determine the interest in America's space program. If you have a minute please take my survey at:
http://spaceprogrambudget.questionpro.com
Your time very important for our research and your opinions matter! Thank you ~ Erik Kallstrom - ERAU Graduate student.
May 18th, 2009 at 9:36pm
hi
May 20th, 2009 at 8:36am
Why is the American Civil Liberties Union trying to protect the rights of a foreigner. You should call yourselves something like the International Civil Liberties Union, the World Civil Liberties Union, or the Universal Civil Liberties Union. I was thinking about marrying a donkey and going to the war with the U.S. are you guys going to be there for me?