Public Comment

“Confessions” under torture are inadmissible and at $13 million per prisoner an appalling waste of taxpayer funds. 

In a noteworthy development, Colonel Matthew N. McCall, a military judge, recently conducted a visit to a former CIA "black site" at Guantanamo Bay. This marks the first such visit to the site, known as Camp Echo, which was operational from 2002 to 2009 as part of a secretive CIA network hosting "high-value detainees" at various global locations. This historic event underscores the ongoing complexities and legal challenges surrounding the Guantanamo Bay trials. 

The significance of Col. McCall's visit is amplified by its connection to the legal proceedings against Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the alleged architect of the September 11 attacks, and three other defendants. A central issue in these proceedings is the admissibility of statements made by the defendants in 2007, which followed years of alleged torture. The prosecution contends that these statements were voluntary, while the defense argues they were coerced under severe conditions. 

This visit followed a defense request aimed at illustrating the long-term psychological impact of harsh treatment on the detainees, which is crucial to understanding the context of their subsequent interrogations at Guantanamo. The visit highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of detainees and the fairness of their trials. Additionally, this event is set against the broader implications of potentially indefinite detentions for these individuals, regardless of trial outcomes. The estimated cost of $13 million per detainee per year further amplifies the need for scrutiny and reassessment of Guantanamo's continued operation. 

Given these factors, it is imperative to reconsider the operation of Guantanamo Bay, which remains a controversial aspect of U.S. foreign policy. The prison not only represents a significant financial burden but also poses moral and legal challenges, suggesting a pressing need for its closure.