In 2002, the George W. Bush administration issued the Torture Memos which argued for a narrow definition of torture under U.S. law. They included granting the CIA authority to use “enhanced interrogation techniques” on enemy combatants. The techniques included waterboarding subjection to extreme cold and confinement in small boxes.
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@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No
@97YBSLK2yrs2Y
Terrorists do not classify as humans. They deserve zero rights, as they have surrendered them,
@9FJ9NCFRepublican1yr1Y
Rights are given to all of mankind and are due to them. This does not exclude terrorists, who are still people that have worth despite what they have done.
This includes efforts to strengthen law enforcement and judicial capabilities, expand aviation and border security, deepen global information sharing,
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes
@9FFZGTNRepublican1yr1Y
Giving foreign terrorist suspects constitutional rights would be a terrible idea. They would abuse those powers to try and gain control here in the United States.
@9F7T25V1yr1Y
Terrorists are 99% of the time not American citizens, and if they are, they seek to harm and destroy not only the people of this country but also injure the well-being of the people by invoking fear. They do NOT deserve the protections offered by the Constitution if they are not willing to show respect, appreciation, and love for this country.
@9L7H5F3 9mos9MO
What if they are innocent but get in trouble because they didn’t have the right to a fair trial? Also, they are still people with worth even if they are guilty
@9F6YX2Y1yr1Y
Terrorists are 99% of the time not American citizens, and if they are, they seek to harm and destroy not only the people of this country but also injure the well-being of the people by invoking fear. They do NOT deserve the protections offered by the Constitution if they are not willing to show respect, appreciation, and love for this country.
@P0pul1stPorpoise1yr1Y
While it's true that the acts of terrorism are despicable and terrifying, it's important to remember the principles our justice system is founded on. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty is a cornerstone of our legal system. This principle applies to everyone, regardless of their nationality or the crimes they're accused of. For instance, consider the case of Salim Hamdan, Osama bin Laden's former driver. He was held at Guantanamo Bay for a long time before finally getting a fair trial in the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled his detention as unlawful. This case was a reminder that our justice system values fairness and the rule of law over fear and prejudice. What are your thoughts on this? How can we balance national security with the need to uphold our legal principles?
@9FG2Q2R1yr1Y
While they are suspected of terrorism, this does leave the question of evidence and intent. If they had or did terrorism in the U.S. then I believe that no is the correct answer, as they should not be treated as a human.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, they are not U.S. citizens and do not have constitutional rights
@9FL54FZ1yr1Y
By that argument, we are infringing on other countries' sovereignty. We wouldn't want Canada to assassinate Americans in the United States because they aren't Canadian citizens.
@9F8FP6T1yr1Y
Rights should be inalienable if it is a legitimate Right. A Constitutional trial for someone willing to fight a Constitutionally founded nation is Justice for both parties.
@568W3MJLibertarian 1mo1MO
Read the constitution.
For reference, here is the text of the 8th amendment:
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Certain rights, like voting are limited to Citizens. Certain rights like the right to protest are only guaranteed to "the people" which courts have interpreted to mean the "voting class" (i.e. adult Citizens minus felons) but certain rights, like the right to free speech and the right not to be tortured are applicable to everyone as they are more of a limitation on hwhat the government can do, instead of grant of certain privileges to certain people.
We should present anyone being tried in the United States Justice system with the same rights, so that there's no confusion on what sort of rights any defendant may have.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, give them a fair trial and shut down Guantanamo Bay
@9FL54FZ1yr1Y
As far as I know, the US military has solid evidence against the majority of prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay. But holding people in bad conditions, engaging in torture, and denying them the right to a fair trial conflicts with our other commitments to human rights and the Geneva convention.
@9F9TQT2Republican1yr1Y
no we shoudlnt give them a free trial and we shoudlnt shut down guantanamo bay becasue thats where we hold dangerous criminals.
@9L7H5F3 9mos9MO
You are encouraging the US do use cruel and unusual punishments on foreigners violating the eighth amendment that doesn’t say anything about whether or not they are citizens. They also didn’t choose their country of birth
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, they should be tried in military tribunals but not subject to torture
@9FNTRGC1yr1Y
Terrorists should be tried like any other person because a terrorist will be convicted in the end anyways.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, just like U.S. citizens, terrorists should be given a fair trial in federal courts
If they are caught doing terrorist acts outside of the country they should not get good treatment especially ones that are caught causing harm to someone.
Terrorist acts can destabilize Governments, undermine civil society, jeopardize peace and security, threaten social and economic development, and may especially negatively affect certain groups. All of these have a direct impact on the enjoyment of fundamental human rights.
@8LX7Q6W4yrs4Y
Yes but only after they have been closely looked after for a period of time.
Not constitutional rights since they aren’t citizens, but basic human rights and international law still apply
@ariff4yrs4Y
No, they are not US citizens but basic human rights still apply, and only if they are captured in an area under the jurisdiction of U.S. law.
@52L8D8Z4yrs4Y
We wouldn't have to answer this question if we weren't legitimizing terror through unfair wars that create people accustomed to suffering and warfare as a norm, and who are living lives filled with terror because of us. This is not the way of Americans and it must stop.
@4RVSBFD4yrs4Y
USA is a major sponsor of terrorism. We should quit meddling in other nations.
@4SQWJ654yrs4Y
Is this seriously in consideration? They honestly shouldn't even be considered people. Of course they're not getting constitutional rights.
@9F764XM1yr1Y
No they are recognized as foreign enemies of the state and should only be held accountable under the Geneva convention under their POW laws.
While the Geneva Conventions indeed provide a framework for the treatment of POWs, it's important to note that not all foreign terrorism suspects fall under this category. For instance, a suspect captured within U.S. borders, who hasn't been part of an armed conflict, may not be classified as a POW. In such cases, it becomes a grey area where constitutional rights could potentially apply. Can you suggest a solution for handling such cases where the status of the suspect is ambiguous?
@8LY6DLM4yrs4Y
If they are a suspect than, they should be tested fairly but if they are a known terrorist than they should be locked up with no trial.
@9FDLK781yr1Y
Terrorism is horrible and the people committing these acts do not deserve to be treated nicely but torture should not be used unless they tortured others.
I understand your sentiment, but it's important to remember that principles of human rights apply universally. For example, even during the Nuremberg Trials, accused Nazi war criminals were given rights to a fair trial. It was a way of showing the world that, unlike the totalitarian regime, we are committed to justice, even for those who may not have shown the same respect for human rights. It's a tough balance to strike, isn't it? How do you think we can ensure justice without compromising our values?
@4RV9YST4yrs4Y
If they are foreign nationals and trial is brought in the United States or a US territory, then they should be given the same rights to a fair trial, innocent until proven guilty. They should not be considered as US citizens, though. They are foreign nationals and should be privy to the laws that govern foreign nationals within the US and our territories.
@9D5XBHH1yr1Y
No, but they should be tried in military tribunals and we should shut down Guantanamo Bay.
@52L5LF54yrs4Y
Were the Indians given these same rights?
@9GDMX4S1yr1Y
No, not constitutional rights since they aren’t citizens, but basic human rights should always apply
@9DYSZB2 1yr1Y
@9HSR4TQ11mos11MO
No, they are not US citizens and should not be granted constitutional rights, but they are human and deserve basic human rights.
@Patriot-#1776Constitution11mos11MO
Human rights don't exist. The only rights that do are natural rights, given by God to every human being from the point of conception, to life, liberty, and private property. Human rights are a modern day delusion secularists espouse, and in reality are only the basest demands: food, shelter, wages, healthcare, etc. None of those are rights. True rights protect you from harm. Human rights allow you to harm others by demanding they give you something. That's the difference. Life means no one may murder you, and you have a moral obligation not to murder. Liberty means no one may rule… Read more
@4Q7X98C4yrs4Y
I don't think they should be given the right to a fair trial in federal courts but they should still be treated humanly.
@Fjandr4yrs4Y
Yes. The Constitution does not mention "citizens," only "people."
@4SQS88K4yrs4Y
Having interrogated four dozen, and reviewed the cases of several hundred more, I find the jihadi's more like patriots than criminals. The Koran specifies how society is to be organized, and while I think it's foolish, our enemies do not. I encourage holding these men as POW's, until the end of hostilities or we use them as trading stock, or they are no longer an asset to the enemy
@9WDTKJ82mos2MO
This comes down to what we think is right and wrong and what gets the job done. Do other areas of the world give us the respect that they give to their own population? Does it hurt or help us to do that to others who potentially wish to hurt the masses or the fabric of society?
@9J24W5N11mos11MO
I feel more conflicted on what I should believe in with this question. I feel like they should get a trial, no torture, but some sort of limited rights since they are not US citizens, but within the US legal system if assuming that this act of terror happened on US soil.
@ChaseOliver 12mos12MO
Yes, but they should be tried under the laws where the act occurs while respecting the Geneva Convention, including the banning of torture which includes "enhanced interrogation techniques"
@9H9DPY31yr1Y
No, but they should be tried in military tribunals to be given a fair trial and we should shut down Guantanamo Bay.
@9FGH9VV1yr1Y
Yes, give them a fair trial first
@9FD685T1yr1Y
I don’t get this question
@9F2X9D31yr1Y
Yes, unless they're proven guilty
@Chase-Oliver1yr1Y
No, they should be tried under the laws where the act occurs while respecting the Geneva Convention, including the banning of torture which includes "enhanced interrogation techniques"
@9DKSR3Z1yr1Y
No they are not citizens but they are suspected
@9CDRHKD1yr1Y
Who is deciding who is labeled as a terrorist? What criteria is being used to label people as terrorists? How much proof is needed? What kind of threat do these terrorists realistically pose? Who is allowed to enforce these policies? When would an agent enforcing these policies have their actions considered? Do they have qualified immunity? should they?
@9FK2NFQ1yr1Y
If they are not citizens they should not have constitutional rights
@9CJ6CB61yr1Y
The wording was “all men are created equal” not “all citizens are created equal”. We owe the same rights to everyone, and rejecting it to non-citizens just as easily allows abuses to immigrants that our society would consider unethical.
@9MTZNC47mos7MO
No, since they aren’t citizens, but basic human rights should obviously still apply. Try them in military tribunals and ensure they’re treated fairly and humanely
@9L5DG4R9mos9MO
They deserve a fair trial. They should have individual rights, and have a right to vote, as they are still human. But arrest them if found guilty
Yes, they should be given a fair trial however, the trial should be conducted by the world health organization in the United Nations not by the US.
@8XCCSPHRepublican3yrs3Y
No they need to prove they have no terrorist ties and mean our country no harm before given any constitutional rights
@8LZ5V244yrs4Y
Yes, only after there has been an efficient investigation in collaboration with the country(ies) that believe they are suspect
@8LYZSHW4yrs4Y
If they were terrorists is another country what is stopping them from becoming a terrorist in this country too.
@5B7F2GS4yrs4Y
They are POWs and should be treated as such
@4RW83Q94yrs4Y
No, they are not U.S. citizens and do not have constitutional rights but all international treaties should be followed.
@9BNNVVF2yrs2Y
Yes, but only the falsely accused.
@8M575VT4yrs4Y
@8LYFDTF4yrs4Y
I mean we would have a lot of evidence so it really wouldn't matter so.
@8LZHBKL4yrs4Y
if they are proven they are terrorists, no but if they are proven they are not, yes.
@8LYXW5WWomen’s Equality4yrs4Y
If they have proof that they are bad people then no but why not anyother way there just people.
@97YHDCBIndependent2yrs2Y
It really depends on the situation.
@8YDKW293yrs3Y
No, but they should still be treated like humans
@8S4BDVWRepublican4yrs4Y
no, they should be killed
@8PD9RZM4yrs4Y
They should be treated equally
It just depends on the situation
I think they should not, but I don't think they should get an unfair trial because they are people. but everything to do with court in the constitution does not have to be applied to this person because it does not apply to them
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