Waad Abdulkareem

Alexandra Safonia
Human Rights and War on Terror
Human rights are very important for the relationship between individuals and the
government that has power over them. The government exercises power over its
people. However human rights mean that this power is limited. States must look after
the needs of their people and protect their freedoms. And there could be cause of losing
humans rights like war, terror affects human rights by losing persons freedom, security,
and even their right to live. It also threatens economic and social development.
George W. Bush, declared the war on terror and he wanted it to begin begin with
al-Qaeda, and it would not end with them. He stated that he will continue until every
terrorist group in the world was found and defeated. Following the terror attacks on
September 11, 2001, the Bush Administration declared the War on Terror. It resulted in
the invasion of Iraq but also launched the debate of human rights. Many governments
joined the War of Terror, and the U.S included, expanded their policing and surveillance
amongst its own people. Harsher laws were implemented and certain legal protections
were taken out. The U.S has been responsible as well for violating human rights with
the use of intensive interrogation techniques as well as unfair trials. Many suspects will
not be able to ever receive a fair trial, it also brings up a controversial question of
whether Bin Laden should have ever received a trial. Terrorism is considered such a
high stake, that the human rights is considered optional.

Waad Abdulkareem
Alexandra Safonia
Human Rights and War on Terror

The Obama Administration has had a different and not as aggressive approach
as the Bush Administration has had. They shut down the infamous Guantanamo Bay
and have returned the prisoners to countries like Syria and Libya. He defiantly was the
opposite side of Bush. One of his quotes about human rights is Advancing democracy
and respect for human rights is central to our foreign policy. It is what our history and
our values demand, but its also profoundly in our interests. That is why the United
States remains firmly committed to promoting freedom, opportunity and prosperity
everywhere. We stand proudly for the rights of women, the LGBT community and
ethnic minorities. We defend the freedom for all people to worship as they choose, and
we champion open government and civil society, freedom of assembly and a free press.
He was there to support human rights.

Waad Abdulkareem
Alexandra Safonia
Human Rights and War on Terror

The term "torture" means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether
physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining
from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a
third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or
coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind,
when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or
acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not
include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.
Suspected terrorists are subject to certain torture techniques such as: waterboarding,
sleep deprivation, beatings, confinement into small enclosed spaces, cold water torture,
and very restricted dieting.

Waad Abdulkareem
Alexandra Safonia
Human Rights and War on Terror
Why do governments use torture techniques?
-Obtain information or confessions
-Punishment
-Intimidation
-Persecution for who they are or what they think
-threats of transfer to a foreign country, for torture
-sexual harassment and rape or threats of rape

The methods and limits that a nation is allowed to go passed with interrogation
relies on their president. The Bush Administration launched the War on Terror and the
enhanced techniques that are used on prisoners, as well as surveillance on the public.

Waad Abdulkareem
Alexandra Safonia
Human Rights and War on Terror
The Obama Administration has been different, especially with the shutdown of
Guantanamo Bay. It is unclear what decisions the President Elect Donald Trump will
make on torture and interrogation, but he has expressed the fact that he would do a lot
worse than waterboarding to terrorists. The question of humanity and morals come into
play with the issue of human rights and terrorism. Do we strip a person of their basic
rights and freedom and inflict pain and torture on a suspect? Or are there different
methods that could be used that do not violate human rights? It is a very controversial
issue, but is getting much attention from human rights activists and lawyers.

Works Cited:

Mariner, Joanne. "U.S. Human Rights Abuses in the War on Terror."

Www.counterpunch.org. N.p., 22 May 2015. Web. 22 Nov. 2016.
Laughland, Oliver. "How the CIA Tortured Its Detainees." The Guardian. Guardian News
and Media, 20 May 2015. Web. 22 Nov. 2016.

Waad Abdulkareem
Alexandra Safonia
Human Rights and War on Terror