The problem with torture

Manifesto

Now that the U.S. has amended its laws in an attempt to allow it to "aggressively interrogate" "enemy combatants", this story is extremely interesting.

In 1976, anti-Castro Cubans blew up Cubana Airlines Flight 455. Luis Posada, a Cuban exile, formerly a U.S. Army Officer and C.I.A. operative supplying the contras in Nicaragua, was "implicated in the attack, but never convicted." He was recently arrested in the U.S. on immigration charges. Cuba and Venezuela want him extradited to be charged and tried for the bombing. But immigration courts refuse. Why?

An immigration judge has ruled that Mr. Posada may be subject to torture in those two countries. But because no other country has stepped forward, and because he has not been officially deemed a terrorist by the American government, a federal judge recommended last month — coincidentally on Sept. 11 — that Mr. Posada be released.

I think our government's refusal to extradite alleged criminals to countries where they may be tortured is admirable. I'm happy that the many other countries feel the same way. I simply wonder how many suspected terrorists may be released by other countries rather than extradited to the U.S. because of our policy on "aggressive interrogation" and the potential for indefinite detention without trial or even charges.