Treatment of detainees at Guantanamo prison

The Feb. 14 editorial “The Gitmo disgrace” is based not on a study done and sanctioned by the United Nations but on one done by an independent group of individuals appointed by the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Commission.

This group based its findings not on firsthand knowledge but on interviews with recently released detainees and their lawyers.

Here’s what my investigation has determined. These findings are based on being in Gitmo every day for the last 365 days. They are based on my experience as a state prosecutor who is familiar with the law and the rules of evidence. They are based on being a leader and being involved in every aspect of the detention operations, guided by the volumes of written procedures constantly reviewed and revised.

First, torture does not take place at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay. The only claims of torture are from unlawful enemy combatants who have been trained by Al Qaeda to claim abuse and torture if captured.

Second, the process in place has screened and released several hundred detainees over the last couple of years.

Finally, the reference to the “Salem witchcraft trials” is absurd.

I can confidently say the detainees here are getting their plethora of rights and due process. Catch the next flight to Gitmo and see how things are done for yourself.

LT. COL. JOHN LONERGAN

Commander

1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry

Joint Task Force

Guantanamo, Cuba

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You confuse war with criminal activity. We are at war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Prisoners are taken during war by whatever means possible. These prisoners are not entitled to judicial proceedings; they are held until exchanged or repatriated at the conclusion of hostilities.

Instead of beating on the administration for alleged misdeeds, why don’t you suggest that Mullah Mohammed Omar of Afghanistan surrender his Taliban forces? At that point, repatriation of some of the prisoners captured in or near Afghanistan would be reasonable. The United States and NATO are at war in Afghanistan, not the United Nations. The U.N. is irrelevant in this instance; it is, though, a noisy, selfserving bystander.

GEORGE PAULIKAS

Palos Verdes Estates

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Add the United Nations to a long list of organizations citing our nation for torture, yet our government still denies responsibility. It was truly sickening to read of how we treat Guantanamo Bay detainees who are on hunger strikes.

Who is responsible for ordering these inhumane actions? They disgrace our country and cheapen all humanity.

STEVEN LANZAROTTA

Culver City