The War on Terror changed many procedures regarding how countries deal with individuals accused of terrorism. Most of these individuals are viewed as enemy combatants. This designation removes said individuals from the protections of the Geneva Convention. They are not entitled to a speedy trial and do not have access to the civil courts and justice system. Most of these individuals are indefinitely detained. Those opposed to these policies argue for the importance of humane treatment of prisoners and due process.
Arguments against
We would be violating our own legal standards by not giving these people a free and fair trial.
Offering open trials would prove to the rest of the world that we have a fair and open society.
It is morally right to give each person accused of a crime a chance to defend themselves.
Arguments for
These people are dangerous and should not be allowed in the United States
The suspects were captured in battle zones and should be treated as enemy fighters, not criminals.
