MORE FROM HUFFPOST
MORE FROM HUFFPOST
guantanamo hunger strike
Guantánamo offers a stark contrast to how we deal with people believed to have engaged in activities perceived, if not proved, to be against the best interests of the United States.
Here in Kabul, young friends with the Afghan Peace Volunteers look forward to learning more about "The Tea Project" in late December, when Aaron Hughes arrives, an artist, a U.S. military veteran, and a core member of Iraq Veterans Against War.
If more Americans were aware of the tragic tale of Shaker Aamer's treatment, it would be safe to assume his instant release would have come to the backdrop of throngs of cheering well-wishers.
When we went to Cuba in 2005, I was not a mother, I was not nursing and I had never been covered in baby snot or toddler vomit. It doesn't seem like so long ago and I am not a different person, but it is hard to be here when my friends and part of my heart are in D.C., working so hard for justice, accountability and all that I hold so dear.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Force-feeding started at Guantanamo in response to fear that self-starving captives would stir anti-American ire. It would be ironic were this response itself to rouse worldwide outrage, making allies less likely to collaborate with us and stiffening our enemies' resolve.
During the week of May 18, 2014 we learned of two different decisions, each of which proves that we keep on trying to be the world leader in showing respect for human life, in both the preserving and the taking.
Why Guantánamo? Why me? There are so many issues, so many injustices, so many tugs at the heartstrings and the consciences -- not to mention, there is only so much time, only so much energy. This is why.
At the end of December, it was reported that the last of three Uighurs being held at Guantánamo had been sent to Slovakia. They had been wrongfully detained at Guantánamo for 12 years. It's three steps forward and 15 steps backwards at Guantánamo.
