Introduction
The word ethics can sometimes be hard to define. Primarily, under normal social conditions, everybody must behave in a manner likely to suggest ethics. Ethics is the moral uprightness of an individual exhibited through actions, habits, the way an individual handles others, and communication with societal members. Thus, ethics defines the character of a person and dictates personal behavior. Moreover, under ethical conditions, every individual should act in a manner suggesting justice to others. Nevertheless, this has never been the case for prisoners. Society views prisoners as criminals who do not deserve justice and fastidious treatment. Hence, in detainee camps or prisons, prisoners undergo unethical treatments and in the long run, some even die. The dilemma that exists in this scenario is whether to grant freedom to prisoners who have committed criminal offenses like murder, robbery with violence, drug trafficking, and even terroristic attacks.
These people ought to have their human rights respected. On the other hand, out of their criminal acts, justice must triumph through the laid law. The paper examines the ethical dilemma associated with Guantanamo Bay-United States Prison, and the image created to both Americans and other world inhabitants. Further, the paper elucidates that, ethics is about choosing between ethical and non-ethical activities. (McCann, Roels, Stackhouse, Williams, 1995, p. 19).
Ethical Dilemma in Guantanamo Bay
Undeniably, United States soldiers have greatly contributed to the torture of detainees in Guantanamo Bay. This is a facility owned by the United States-based in Cuba. The story of the ethical dilemma dates back to when America decided to invade Iraq. Millions of Americans did not see the reason for attacking Iraq. However, President Bush had claimed to fight terrorism, after the September 11 attack. In front of Americans, there is a dilemma of ethics and war, converging together. The actions of United States soldiers towards Guantanamo detainees have elicited diverse views from the public on American liberties. Americans who believe in civil liberties question the soldiers’ abilities in handling volatile situations coupled with ethical dilemmas. Instead of committing atrocities, American soldiers ought to have considered moral imperatives in solving the problem. The larger American public entrusts the army to solve the existing conflicts ethically. Nevertheless, since ethical dilemmas are always difficult to meet, many people soldiers included, fall into non-ethical incentives. In Guantanamo Bay, it is the role of soldiers to ensure justice and protection of human rights. On the other hand, if these soldiers decide to abhor ethics, torture, genocide, and mayhem occur, like the one witnessed in Guantanamo Bay recently.
Housing of Detainees
Recently, President Obama ordered the closing down of Guantanamo Bay, views not received well by both the Americans and international community. The issue of contention is where to house these prisoners. May countries declined to house these prisoners. However, the housing of these prisoners and the condition of the Guantanamo Bay detainee camp is ethical. For example, in Guantanamo Bay camp, many small units house detainees. For example, the Camp Delta constructed in 2002 has 612 units and six detention camps. Additionally, this facility has a Camp Echo, which houses meetings taking place in the camp. In Guantanamo Bay, the United States department of homeland security is responsible for the security conditions. There are also other detention camps in Guantanamo Bay that house prisoners. Camp Iguana is a bit distant from the main office. Conversely, this detention camp is smaller but with high security. Verily, these detainee camps provide a human environment to stay.
For example, in 2006, Pentagon took some doctors to Guantanamo Bay. These doctors found out that, the camp had two detention models. The first one is for providing tight security to dangerous criminals and the second one for relaxed individuals. Additionally, the second camp has more space and detainees can perform numerous activities there. There are so many bathrooms and recreational facilities although, in some places where notorious criminals stay, the facilities are missing due to disruption. Seemingly, the detainees are fairly treated, of course ethically. (Soldz, 2007, Para. 4-9).
Rights of Prisoners
Under ethical conditions, every person should be treated humanly.
Nevertheless, some people do not understand why criminals who have committed unspeakable atrocities like planning and executing terrorism, briefers, and financiers of crimes, receive equal treatment just like anybody. Evidence from human rights bodies, Pentagon documents, and reports from doctors, indicate that United States soldiers committed atrocities to Guantanamo Bay detainees. This is because; the detainees failed to cooperate with the army who consequently, decided to apply aggressive modalities to counter detainees’ resistance. For example, the reports indicated that detainees had suffered beatings, experienced isolation was deprived of sleep and many of them had numerous body pains. These non-ethical acts led to numerous international criticism, which branded America, a master of cruelty. Detainees have the right to religious and cultural sensitivities. Indeed, some detainees accuse America of violating these rights and their indefinite detention is injustice. (Bloche & Marks, 2005, pp. 6-8).
Conclusion
Like anybody else, prisoners have rights against torture, indefinite detention, beatings, and aggressive treatments. These acts are non-ethical hence creating an ethical dilemma if executed. During the Bush administration, the United States through its soldiers committed these atrocities to Guantanamo detainees. This led to international attention and criticism of the administration. Nevertheless, the Obama administration is hastening justice for these prisoners and always accords them with ethical conditions.
Reference List
Bloche, G. & Marks, J. (2005). Doctors and Interrogators at Guantanamo Bay. The New England Journal of Medicine, 353(1), 6-8.
McCann, P., Roels, J., Stackhouse, L. & Williams, N. (1995).On Moral Business: Classical Contemporary Resources for Ethics in Economic Life. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Berdmans Publishing Company.
Soldz, S. (2007). New Pentagon-health professions PR offensive over Guantanamo. Web.