The US-run prisons at Bagram and Guantanamo have laid bare the Å“US hypocrisy” for the entire world, says Joe Iosbaker of the United National Antiwar Committee.
Å“As we mark the 12th anniversary of the opening of the US prison at Guantanamo, US hypocrisy is on display for the entire world,” Iosbaker told Press TV on Tuesday.
Å“Our government claims to be fighting to defend democracy by denying the democratic rights of the people who resist US imperialism,” he added.
The fate of nearly 90 prisoners held in Bagram in north of Kabul has become Å“a bone of contention” in negotiations between Washington and Kabul over the so-called Bilateral Security Agreement.
Å“The US military and its puppet government in Afghanistan are arguing over the entire Status of Forces Agreement. The release of these prisoners is in that context,” Iosbaker said.
Despite warning from the US, the board reviewing the cases of prisoners at the base announced on Monday that the prisoners will be released as there is no incriminating evidence against them.
Å“The US has operated Bagram prison as a torture chamber,” Iosbaker said. Å“There is no evidence of crimes committed by these men whoâ„¢ve been held by the US for years.”
The analyst noted that another sticking point to the negotiations is the issue of immunity for US soldiers.
Å“The US wants to leave 8,000 troops in Afghanistan after 2014 which President [Hamid] Karzai favors,” he said.
Å“But the Obama administration is demanding that the Afghans accept immunity from Afghan prosecution for US soldiers accused of crimes, but this will never be accepted by the people there.”
Å“The US has occupied their country for 12 years. Over 50,000 afghan people have died as a result of the US war,” he said. Å“US soldiers have carried out countless acts of violence against civilians.”
AT/HJ
With permission
Source: Press TV