The recent swearing in of Robert Gates as America’s new Secretary of Defense should be the beginning of real change for those prisoners held in U.S. custody at home and abroad.  To that end, the ACLU is urging Secretary Gates to launch investigations into the treatment of those who suffered cruel and inhuman conditions at the hands of the U.S. military, including Jose Padilla.

The New York Times published pictures of Mr. Padilla earlier this month in the midst of sensory deprivation, wearing goggles to block the light and headphones to block any sound.  Additionally, he was subjected to extreme isolation with no natural light, sleep deprivation and had little human contact.  Mr. Padilla was also forced to ingest hallucinogenic drugs.  Such conditions, compounded by sensory deprivation devices, may constitute torture.  In a slap to American values, these tactics were employed on a Navy brig in South Carolina.  These shameful abuses were conducted in America by American forces.

Throughout the Bush administration and the 109th Congress, the Constitution and its guarantees have been severely curtailed and redefined.  America’s standing in the world is the lowest ever.  Those labeled “enemy combatantsâ€? can lose many rights including, thanks to the recent passage of the Military Commissions Act, habeas corpus.  Prisoners being abused and unable to challenge their detainment is a stain on America’s legacy of liberty and justice for all.

It is not too late to right the wrongs that have been committed.  With the coming 110th Congress and, now, the swearing in of Mr. Gates as Secretary of Defense, we hope the page can be turned, and a fundamental respect for human rights be restored.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 20th, 2006 at 2:40 pm and is filed under Politics, Civil Rights, Homeland Security .