U.S. Internment
Since 911, many United Citizens have suffered under the new policies implemented by the government as part of its "war on terrorism." In addition, several more Americans have spoken out against injustice of this kind. These citizens argue that detaining and otherwise harassing citizens on the ground of suspicion as a result of no more but their ethnic heritage is against everything that the United States has come to represent both nationally and internationally. The United States has always prided itself upon its constitution and the fact that it provides all citizens, regardless of any distinguishing individual factors, with equal opportunities for peaceful and gainful living.
Recently, however, this has not been the case, as proved by the action against Al Odah, Rasul and Hamdi. These three persons have been detained indefinitely, without any evidence against them apart from the fact that they were of a certain ethnic heritage. They were not given the opportunity to defend themselves or to obtain counsel, in direct opposition to the constitution that provides these rights.
Interestingly, 9/11 is not the only war during which such violations of rights occurred on the grounds of national or ethnic origin. During World War II, the same fate befell Fred Korematsu, a young Japanese man who violated a law against his presence in California. While he was at least provided with the right to contest his internment, the above-mentioned three persons were not. Indeed, they were not even provided with the right to see their families.
No war justifies such blatant disregard for basic human rights. Indeed, the war is not helped by detaining innocent people while the guilty are free to continue their destructive practices, because no investigation is made into determining the guilt or innocence of detainees. Such practices damage not only the international reputation of the country, but also the faith of its citizens on a domestic scale.
Sources.
Findlaw.com. Brief of Amicus Curiae Fred Korematsu in support of petitioners. http://supreme.lp.findlaw.com/supreme_court/briefs/03-334/03-334.pet.ami.korematsu.pdf
Tuoro Law Center. (1995-2008). Korematsu v. United States, Decided December 18, 1944. http://tourolaw.edu/patch/Korematsu
