The U.S. keeps talking about human rights—in other countries. People might start to pay attention if it closed Guantánamo, released its victims and prosecuted its employees.
By Ted Rall, Rall.com
A country that loudly and repeatedly expresses what it purports to be its principles, yet cavalierly ignores them on a whim, rightly earns the contempt of its own citizens and those of other nations, especially when the hypocritical government of that nation criticizes others for failing to adhere to their pompously proclaimed rules-based international order.

Guantánamo Bay concentration camp epitomizes this phenomenon.
Now in its third decade of operation under four presidents, Gitmo still houses 30 men. None of them has ever been charged in a court of law. Indeed, none of them ever will. It is a bedrock principle of American jurisprudence that we are all, citizens and non-citizens alike, presumed innocent until proven guilty. Which makes all 30 prisoners, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, as innocent as a newborn child as far as the law is concerned.
For whatever it’s worth, the Pentagon itself says it has no evidence that half of these people committed a crime. They are all cleared for release, but the U.S. refuses to admit them and no other country has issued an invitation.
Recent Posts
Federal Judge Sides With Journalists, Protesters in Chicago Over Violent Tactics of Trump’s Federal Agents
October 11, 2025
Take Action Now “Individuals are allowed to protest,” the judge said. “They are allowed to speak. That is guaranteed by the First Amendment to our…
First Ceasefire, Then Palestinian Liberation
October 10, 2025
Take Action Now Trump’s deal does nothing to address the root cause of injustice: Israel’s brutal military rule and oppression of Palestinians.By…
A Movement-Based Opposition To Trump And MAGA
October 10, 2025
Take Action Now In the absence of adequate resistance in the electoral arena, an alliance of popular movements is functioning as the primary…
‘I’m Terrified I’ll Die’: Bernie Sanders Unveils Report On Healthcare Devastation Looming For American Families
October 9, 2025
Take Action Now The Sanders report concludes by not only vowing to reverse the Republican healthcare cuts, but to “work to end the international…