United States – NDAA Veto and GITMO Closure

October 22, 2015

By Padmini Arhant

The White House decision on National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) introduced, enacted and implemented in December 2010 now vetoed in the wake of disagreement between legislative and executive branch on defense spending bill to a tune of $612 billion deserves attention.  

NDAA was unconstitutional with serious infringement on civil liberty.  The legislation on NDAA defined political reality.  Similarly procrastination in shutting down Guantanamo Bay prison holding inmates without due process clarifies democracy in subjugation.

Revoking NDAA and GITMO closure would reinstate democracy and restore human values in rapid deterioration since 9/11.

Besides GITMO, United States and NATO run detention centers in Afghanistan, Middle East, South East Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America facilitating renditions and gross human rights violations under the pretext of war on terror exacerbate terror manufacturing and activities to prolong conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and throughout Africa. 

Regardless of motives behind undemocratic rule and practices such as NDAA and GITMO camp, anything counterproductive is unsustainable with inevitable adverse effects on the source and catalysts.

Notwithstanding economic liability in maintaining prison complexes worldwide. 

Sponsoring terrorism by funding, training and arming terror networks to destabilize nations is the current trend leaving scores dead and millions in refugee status ultimately affecting the origin of the problem witnessed in refugee influx on EU shores and inhumane response to humanitarian crises.

Likewise, military interventions with aerial bombing and air strikes claimed as expunging terror in Syria and elsewhere are more favorable to boost defense expenditure ignoring massive infrastructure destruction in war zone considering hegemony deployed terror factions across the country.

The repeat proposals from this website to ban weapons supply to terror groups in addition to disarming militants and rebels across the globe is not appealing for those attracted to failure and mayhem. 

Simultaneously arms and ammunitions distribution to terrorists, dictatorial regimes, nefarious elements, drug cartels, organized and underground crime syndicate benefit stake holders in defense (more appropriately offensive) stocks to continue status quo.

Nuclear states with military might inability to contain terror and militancy in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Middle East in particular pose credibility factor revealing the background and complicity within as well as outside the domain. 

Hegemony aspirations for global dominance producing enormous casualties, human tragedies with generational impact along with economic burden and environment degradation is a lost cause in otherwise fait accompli. 

Repealing NDAA and departure from torture techniques cited at GITMO would confirm recognition of erroneous actions and sincerity in reviving democratic principles and fairness in justice.

United States could be the land of the free and the home of the brave upon respecting life in general –  own citizens and foreign nationals alike.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant 

 

 

 

 

 

United States – 9/11 Anniversary in 2013

September 11, 2013

By Padmini Arhant

United States and the rest of the world paralyzed with historic false flag terror attack on September 11, 2001.

The event was a direct assault on humanity at large justifying  terrorism and militarism under false premise that continues with no end in sight.

Notwithstanding the manufactured crises setting precedence for tradition followed over a decade with infringement on civil rights and  individual liberty besides violation of innocent lives and national sovereignty worldwide.

The architects, sponsors and operatives with political establishment complicity behind the horrific crime against defenseless civilivans remain engaged in their mission targeting nations for economic interest and strategic dominance.

In fact, 9/11 created opportunity for abuse of power with enactment of laws viz. the Patriot Act,  Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) evolving into the most controversial and intrusive National Surveillance Act (NSA) under the current administration.

The recent unconstitutional rule among many others is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) allowing the state to pursue American citizens as potential terror suspects denying due process and leaving them entirely at military tribunal mercy.

Internationally, 9/11 facilitated arbitrary invasions and military intervention including the war on religions with connotation such as extremism provoking communal unrest and sectarianism to destabilize nations for hegemonic goals.

The proxy representation of hegemony subverts democracy and subjugate population depriving them real freedom and progress.

The forces responsible for 9/11 ironically setting rules that they are in constant violation since inception and their non-compliance on universal standards pronounce unsavory characteristics disqualifying them as moral authority in humanitarian affairs.

Unless the members and states involved in 9/11 terror beginning with Project for New American Century (PNAC) masterminds and the rest that are persistently implementing the agenda in the Middle East and elsewhere until today brought to justice,

The organized crime and state terrorism would be euphemistically established as the viable system under the guise of national security.

United States citizens galvanizing grass roots movement transcending differences need to reclaim sovereignty and restore democracy with republic governance ending foreign and special interests control attributed to dismal status quo.

Similarly, the people in other parts of the world especially the nations with leaderships compromising national integrity and self-determination rights for hegemony indoctrinated concepts like neo-liberalism in economic issues and ne0-conservatism espousing belligerence designed to promote neo-imperialism required to rise to the occasion for necessary political reform.

Republic is the legitimate powerhouse to shift the tide and liberate the country from authoritarianism and unilateralism increasingly disregarding constitutional and democratic values on all matter concerning humankind and environment.

Preventing pseudo operations conducted to prolong the so-called war on terror having launched al-Qaeda through 9/11 and using them as allies in Syria and adversary in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia to benefit drone industry and defense sector broadly is critical and possible with independent committee probing the veracity of such indulgence.

In conclusion, the public participation and activism institutionalizing checks and balances for transparency and accountability  without exception is the way forward to avert yet another 9/11 –  the incontrovertible deception and fraudulent activity that not only claimed millions of lives and livelihoods but also redefined the meaning of true liberty and justice.

The best tribute to victims of 9/11 and subsequent illegal wars is to purge violence adopting peaceful and non-violent effective strategies that could be demonstrated with unanimous call for ceasefire and terror network withdrawal from Syria and other war zones across the globe alongside immediate closure of the infamous Guantanamo Bay. 

The secret to success in dispute settlements is commitment and sincerity towards diplomacy leading to reciprocal actions on mutually binding agreement.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

 

 

 

 

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Republic of Cuba in the Twenty First Century

July 23, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

The Caribbean nation has been through many political and social challenges in the past three centuries. Beginning with colonization leading to revolutions, military coups and the unfortunate communist rule prevalent until today, the 11 million Cuban population continues to suffer in silence without any hope on the horizon.

From the Cuban revolution, Bay of Pigs invasion to Cuban Missile crisis and Guantanamo bay, Cuba has remained a significant Latin American nation.

With the political system modeled after the former Soviet Union and China the three nations’ paradoxical images in the new millennium are striking.

China as a Communist nation is regarded the emerging economic power with extraordinary privileges prominently – permanent membership at the U.N. Security Council, ‘Most Favored Nation’ status renewed regardless of the Republican or Democratic administrations at the White House. China is also a WTO, G-20 and ASEAN member.

Russia shares equivalent position with China among the international community and currently has the United States endorsement for WTO membership at the Toronto G-20 meeting held in June 2010.

Cuba, on the other hand is isolated with various sanctions particularly the economic embargo crippling the island nation in the Western Hemisphere.

Under the previous U.S. administration, there were restrictions on foreign remittances and travel by the Cuban expatriates. However, President Barack Obama reversed it in 2009 along with the resolution adopted in June last year to end the exclusion of Cuba from OAS (Organization of American States). Cuban leaders apparently expressed their lack of enthusiasm in the OAS readmission.

Cuba’s isolation is attributed to the appalling human rights abuse from the international standpoint and nationally the political oppression combined with the state controlled failed economic policies having a drastic impact on the once prosperous middle class in the society are the reasons considered for the Cuban exodus.

The parallels and the ironies between Cuba and other nations in this context are noteworthy.

Haiti – Another Caribbean nation and Cuba’s neighbor on the east was systematically deprived of self-sustenance and economic success during the currently exiled democratically elected President Jean Bertrand Aristide due to the U.S. imposition on Haiti to allow imported crops over the national rice production and other consumer goods resulting in Haiti’s status quo.

Whereas Cuba as a Communist authority holds direct control over two-thirds of the economy with the private sector functioning under federal governance on capital investments approval to hiring policy and wage distribution.

With the exception of public education and universal health care, the state’s macro management of the economy proved to be inefficient on various accounts such as food rationing and inadequate housing for the growing urban population.

Cuba is reported to have found large oil reserves through the environmentally devastating “oil exploration” in North Cuba Basin.

It’s time for nations to realize that the planet sustenance is dependent upon the clean renewable energy resources viz. solar, wind, bio-fuel, hydrothermal projects. Pursuing other sources despite the catastrophic damages to the economy and the environment is denying reality.

On Cuba’s foreign relations – Strong ties with China and Venezuela in the aftermath of the Soviet Union collapse seemingly eased the economic sanctions impact.

National health care in Cuba guarantee free medical aid to all in the rural and urban areas.

Therefore, the infant mortality rate and maternal care are either comparable or better than some developed countries.

The trade embargo affecting the core services like the health care facilities is reportedly deficient in latest medical equipments, drugs and essential supplies undermining the expected standards.

Mandatory education at the basic and higher levels including vocational training appears to be beneficial for Cuba with the highest per capita medical personnel available to serve within and outside the country.

Notably, Cuba is acknowledged for the medical professional help in the disaster relief programs – witnessed recently to Haiti earthquake victims.

Human rights violation is not uncommon in any form of government. If not towards the majority, it is often directed against the minority or the ethnic groups in a society.

Arguably, the repressive governments’ conspicuous abuse of power against their nationals is well known.

Cuba is believed to rank only second to the People’s Republic of China in the imprisonment of journalists voicing their concern against government agenda.

Per Wikipedia.org – Thank you.

“The Cuban government has been accused of numerous human rights abuses including torture, arbitrary imprisonment, unfair trials, and extrajudicial executions (a.k.a. “El Paredón”).

The Human Rights Watch alleges that the government “represses nearly all forms of political dissent” and that “Cubans are systematically denied basic rights to free expression, association, assembly, privacy, movement, and due process of law”.

Cuba was the second biggest prison in the world for journalists in 2008, second only to the People’s Republic of China, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international NGO.

As a result of computer ownership bans, computer ownership rates are among the world’s lowest.

Right to use Internet is granted only to selected people and these selected people are monitored.

Connecting to the Internet illegally can lead to a five-year prison sentence.

Cuban dissidents face arrests and imprisonment.

In the 1990s, Human Rights reported that Cuba’s extensive prison system, one of the largest in Latin America, consists of some 40 maximum-security prisons, 30 minimum-security prisons, and over 200 work camps.

According to Human Rights Watch, political prisoners, along with the rest of Cuba’s prison population, are confined to jails with substandard and unhealthy conditions.

Citizens cannot leave or return to Cuba without first obtaining official permission.”

Upon viewing the economic and political conditions in Cuba, it’s clear that the real beneficiaries in the economies under authoritarian rule and the democracies run by Corporations are not the average citizens, instead the ‘selective-powerful’ focused on self-interest rather than national interest.

Yet another irony is the statehood declaration as the “Republic” –

Whether it’s Republic of Cuba, Republic of North Korea, Islamic Republic of Iran, or People’s Republic of China and those not truly representative of the republic in the electoral and legislative process confirm the connotation.

A nation’s progress is measured by the political freedom, economic opportunities and social equality.

All are born to be free and economic prosperity in the absence of freedom is life without a purpose.

In the twenty first century, the people of Cuba and others facing persecution for their freedom quest deserve international support.

Liberty especially the freedom of expression is the inalienable human right.

Leadership is honorable when committed to celebrating life and not suppressing it.

Democracy is imminent with a bright future for the people of Cuba.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Current Events

January 13, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Earthquake in Haiti

The Caribbean nation on the western hemisphere, Haiti, is hit with a massive earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale. Natural disasters are generally devastating for any country, particularly the poorest nations.

Unfortunately, Haiti with reportedly 80 percent of the population below the poverty line will require more than financial aid.

President Obama’s action to provide military assistance in rescue operation combined with necessary humanitarian relief is praiseworthy.

Other nations including the Vatican should come forward and join the efforts with the United States in the financial contributions to help victims and their families experiencing the greatest tragedy.

I offer my sincere condolences to the victims’ families and hope for the Haitian population’s sufferings to end now and in the future.

————————————————————————————————–
Vice President Joe Biden’s Personal Tragedy

I extend my condolences to the Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden in the recent loss of his beloved mother, Catherine Eugenia “Jean” Finnegan Biden. It’s never easy to bid farewell to the loved ones and more difficult with the members who leave a lasting impact in one’s life.

However, Mrs. Jean Finnegan Biden was blessed to have lived a long healthy life and participated in the swearing in ceremony of her son the then Senator, Joe Biden to the office of Vice Presidency of the United States.

I join the President and members of Congress in the somber moment and pray for Mrs. Jean Finnegan Biden’s soul to rest in peace.

————————————————————————————–

Guantanamo Guard’s Portrayal of Human Character

According to the BBC World news featured on January 12, 2009:

Reference: Video footage titled “GITMO Guard Reunites with Free…” featured below.

“Brandon Neely – A Guantanamo Bay Guard, 2002 had serious doubts about the unfair imprisonment of two inmates Shafiq Rasul and Ruhal Ahmed – 2002 -2004, and believed them to be innocent during their captivity in prison. So, he traveled to London to reconcile the error.”

Both inmates were released after being held without any trial due to the denial of Habeas Corpus, the tradition introduced during the Bush-Cheney era and continued until date. Shafiq Rasul and Ruhal Ahmed reportedly left for the United Kingdom, as they were British subjects.

Brandon Neely tormented by the task that involved torture and extreme brutality against the majority innocent captives, could not live with the guilt of having carried out the order as a security guard and apparently established contact with the exonerated inmates through the social networking site, Facebook.

Brandon Neely traveled all the way to London and apologized to the victims of the massive witch-hunt that is guided by the “indefinitely guilty,” law and branded “enemy combatant,” to evade the normally applicable Geneva Convention.

Brandon Neely is truly a hero and a human being of good moral character, not to mention a great ambassador of the United States. Shafiq Rasul and Ruhal Ahmed share the honor for their extraordinary courage and act of forgiveness.

Perhaps, the advocates of torture like water boarding and other inhumane tactics at the Guantanamo Bay, representing the tainted image of the United States along with the authorities contemplating on prolonging the infamous boot camp could pause and reflect on the cited thought-provoking incident.

History is testimony to the fact that violence begets violence and aptly described by the pioneer of peace, none other than Mahatma Gandhi,

“An eye for an eye will make the world go blind.”

It’s evident in the contemporary world. It’s never too late to change the course of action and submit to peace and non-violence.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

National Security Act – Torture

May 6, 2009

By Padmini Arhant

Torture

The nation riddled with recent events pertaining to national security.  In the past few weeks, there have been vigorous debates and discussions on the release of the torture memos describing the torture tactics applied on the speculative terror suspects in Guantanamo Bay and those held in Bagram Prison, Afghanistan.

There are polarizing views regarding the release of these materials claiming the potential threat to national security including the CIA and FBI operatives’ difficulty in performing their duties to keep the country safe.  Those in favor of transparency welcome the Obama administration’s gesture subject to further course of action. Merely releasing the materials will not suffice considering the misuse of power and gross violation of humanitarian laws.

In addition, the subsequent argument on the possible prosecution of the individuals responsible for torture against the Geneva Convention contributing yet another dilemma in the definition of torture and accountability factor.  Obviously, the predecessors’ supporters vehemently oppose the entire action thus far – from revealing the information to investigation.

The Obama administration‘s ambiguity on the humanitarian issue perceived as the White House conspicuously avoiding ‘retribution’ smear and possible distraction from the legislative matters like the universal health care.   Meanwhile, concerned citizens intrigued by the extreme strategy implemented to justify the imminent danger hypothesis, a constant practice by the previous administration notably the successful fear-mongering tactic during and after the Iraq invasion and occupation.

A full disclosure of the interrogation techniques particularly the notorious water boarding , ill-treatment and the indefinite imprisonment of the ‘so-called suspects’ in these captive centers confirm the serious violation of International Code namely the rejection of GCIII and Habeas Corpus.

It is important to examine the exact interpretation of the International laws set up for guidance and ethical purpose.  Further, the enforcement of these laws is to ensure precisely the state/the authorities remain confined to the jurisdiction of power against unarmed human beings in detention.

Source: The Wikipedia.org (The Free encyclopedia) – Thanks

The Third Geneva Convention of 1949 (abbreviated GCIII or GPW) , one of the Geneva Conventions, is a treaty agreement that primarily concerns the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs), and also touched on other topics. It replaced the Geneva Convention (1929).

According to Article 3, Part 1, General Provisions referred to as ‘Convention in miniature,’

“Noncombatants, combatants who have laid down their arms, and combatants who are hors de combat (out of the fight) due to wounds, detention, or any other cause shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, including prohibition of outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment.

The passing of sentences must also be pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees, which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples.  Article 3’s protections exist even if one is not classified as a prisoner of war.”

Habeas corpus (IPA: /ˌheɪbiːæsˈkɔːpəs/) (Latin: You (shall) have the body[1]) is a legal action, or writ, through which a person can seek relief from the unlawful detention of him or herself, or of another person.  It protects the individual from harming him or herself, or from being harmed by the judicial system.  The writ of habeas corpus has historically been an important instrument for the safeguarding of individual freedom against arbitrary state action.

Simply put,

Habeas corpus, a legal action through which a person can seek relief from unlawful detention.

The due process for such petitions is not simply civil or criminal, because they incorporate the presumption of nonauthority.  The official who is the respondent has the burden to prove his authority to do or not do something.  Failing this, the court must decide for the petitioner, who may be any person, not just an interested party.  This differs from a motion in a civil process in which the movant must have standing, and bears the burden of proof.”

Here are some news articles detailing the torture on presumed ‘suspects’ held in captivity by the U.S authorities.

Warning: The following articles are graphic and may not be suitable for all.

“I Could Not Stop Screaming”

“The British newspaper Guardian (2/18/2005) reported that one Bagram prisoner, a Palestinian named Mustafa, was blindfolded, handcuffed, gagged, and forced to bend down over a table by three American soldiers.  He said, “They forcibly rammed a stick up my rectum… I could not stop screaming when this happened.”

In another case reported by the Guardian, a Jordanian prisoner, Wesam Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Deemawi, said that during a 40-day period at Bagram he was threatened with dogs, stripped and photographed “in shameful and obscene positions” and placed in a cage with a hook and a hanging rope.  He says he was hung from this hook, blindfolded, for two days.

Both men were freed from U.S. detention last year after being held at Bagram and Guantánamo.  Neither has been charged with anything by any government.

Dilawar, a 22-year-old Afghan taxi driver and farmer, was killed by U.S. torturers at Bagram in December 2002.  He had been beaten and chained by his wrists for four days. After his last torture session, Dilawar was chained back to the ceiling.  Several hours passed before a doctor saw him—by which time he was dead and already beginning to stiffen.

“An official of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission questioned –

“Are They Going to Vanish Forever?”

“The Americans are detaining people without any legal procedure. Prisoners do not have the opportunity to demonstrate their innocence.”

Despite the unprecedented human rights violations… translated barbaric in modern times, the defense for the authorities authorizing and executing the medieval customs against unarmed detainees charged guilty without due process is astonishing.  The world witnessed the pervasive prisoner abuse in Abu Ghraib, Iraq, Bagram, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay through explosive visuals, editorials, columns and interviews predominantly from the international sources and on-line mass media.

Incidentally, the torturers’ loyalists cry ‘foul’ against the latest revelation.  Even though, the international news organizations and human rights groups have been reporting these incidents all along per above articles.  Contrasting the detainees position, all those responsible for the unconscionable crime against humanity involving innocent victims in the witch-hunt for terror suspects, are also exempt from due process however, with the distinction of them proclaimed “Patriotic” in their utter disregard for International laws and human rights.

Clearly, the abuse of power in this context from the pyramid‘s apex to the base is symbolic in the embarrassing chapter of American history.  Ironically, the explanation for torture attributed to national defense while ignoring the brutality against other nationals and their families’ ordeal.

One might argue if it’s worth treading the retribution path rather than moving forward.  It’s possible to move forward if the past had no remnants of violation of the laws involving global citizens in prolonged detention specifically in the absence of any evidence or trials.  Similar treatment of American nationals would have created pandemonium at all levels.

Besides, such practices open the floodgates for misuse of power by future administrations notwithstanding other nations…currently witnessed in the treatment of American journalists imprisoned on allegedly espionage charges by Iran and North Korea.

Whenever there is excessive abuse of power, unequivocally democracy threatened aside from the Constitution made irrelevant.  Therefore, it’s incumbent on the people in a democracy to ensure that neither the state nor any authority is above the law in the land of justice.

Please stand by for more information and analysis on related topics.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant