When states are threatened by war and terrorism, can we really expect them to abide by human rights and humanitarian law? David P. Forsythe's bold analysis of US policies towards terror suspects after 9/11 addresses this issue directly. Covering moral, political, and legal aspects, he examines the abuse of enemy detainees at the hands of the United States. At the center of the debate is the Bush Administration, which Forsythe argues displayed disdain for international law, in contrast to the general public's support for humanitarian affairs. Forsythe explores the similarities and differences between Presidents Obama and Bush on the question of prisoner treatment in an age of terrorism and asks how the Administration should proceed. The book traces the Pentagon's and CIA's records in mistreating prisoners, providing an account which will be of interest to all those who value human rights and humanitarian law.
• Provides an overview of the moral, political and legal factors at play in the US treatment of terror suspects after 9/11 • Comprehensive and multi-dimensional, going beyond narrow legal argumentation • Compares the CIA record with that of the Pentagon and the role of internal critics in the Administration and the army • Compares the early Obama years with the George W. Bush years and highlights both the continuities and the differences between the two Administrations
Contents
1. Prisoner abuse and political morality in historical perspective; 2. Political morality and the Bush Administration; 3. Bush lawyers: the politics of legal interpretation; 4. The military: Afghanistan, Guantánamo, Iraq; 5. The CIA: kidnapping, Black Sites, extraordinary rendition; 6. Due process: detention classification, Military Commissions; 7. Prisoner abuse and the politics of transnational justice.
Reviews
'This important book details the massive abuse of human rights of US prisoners since 9/11. It is up to date as of July 2010, thus covering the problematic actions of the Obama Administration as well as that of George W. Bush. In a form accessible to scholars, students, and the general public, Dr Forsythe's careful research and analysis underscore how fragile human rights become when national security seems to be at stake.' Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann, Canada Research Chair in International Human Rights, Wilfrid Laurier University
'Forsythe's encyclopedic chronicle of America's descent to the dark side capably tackles the tough question: What are the wages of American exceptionalism?' Gabor Rona, International Legal Director, Human Rights First, New York
'This is a well-written, accessible and authoritative political history of the United States' misguided post-9/11 dalliance with the 'dark side', by resort to torturous interrogation techniques, 'extraordinary renditions', abductions, secret detention and administrative internment.' Sir Nigel Rodley KBE, Chair, Human Rights Centre, University of Essex
'Prolific human rights author Forsythe … has produced a study of the post-9/11 dramatic turn in US policy away from recognized human rights standards regarding treatment of prisoners … Though the information in the book is widely available, Forsythe compiles a coherent and compelling narrative of the resulting policies. He does so while naming names of the officials pushing these policies and the legal maneuverings that led to Guantánamo, Abu Ghraib, and black sites. Addressing these serious violations carried out during the Bush administration remains a task the Obama administration has largely sidestepped. The appendixes include a summary of numerous official reports with web citations and selected excerpts of basic human rights treaties with commentary. Abundant footnotes provide additional context for future students and scholars of this dark period in US foreign policy … Highly recommended.' N. N. Haanstad, Choice Reviews Online (cro2.org)
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