Ah, the problem of what to do with GITMO detainees that the US does not want to hold anymore:
Some of the detainees, deemed non-threatening, may be released into the United States as free men, Blair confirmed.That would happen when they can't be returned to their home countries, because the governments either won't take them or the U.S. fears they will be abused or tortured. That is the case with 17 Uighurs (WEE'-gurz), Chinese Muslim separatists who were cleared for release from the jail long ago. The U.S. can't find a country willing to take them, and it will not turn them over to China. - AP (Found via the Weekly Standard)
The last time I checked, China is a Full Member of the United Nations right up to holding a permanent Seat on the UN's Security Council. What happens to the Chinese Uighurs upon their return to China by the US is not our problem. If the Chinese decide to torture the hell out of them, then they would surely be in violation of their commitments to the UN. The issue should be taken up there if the Uighurs end up being mistreated upon their return. Sure it sucks to be them, but if China is really a problem, then they should be confronted about this at the UN. That is why it exists.
Really, not sending them back is not going to stop torture in China. Sending them back will force the world to confront them on this issue. Or maybe not. Maybe these guys get executed on their return and the world moves on. At least we won't have these suspected terrorists living amongst us, collecting welfare. Keep in mind that it was their actions that got them where they are now.
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This post has been linked for the HOT5 Daily 3/30/2009, at The Unreligious Right
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