America – in fact, no nation – can insist that others follow the rules of the road if we refuse to follow them ourselves. For when we don’t, our actions appear arbitrary…
President Obama acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize, 10th December 2009.

Injustice for one day is bad enough. In a new report, Amnesty International has outlined its concerns about the continued refusal of the US government to adhere to its international human rights obligations.

The deadline has now passed ordering the closure of Guantanamo Bay. Over 400 days ago, President Obama ordered the cases resolved ‘as soon as practicable’, however, over 190 men remain in Guantanamo Bay, held without charge or prospect of fair trials, and with little contact from loved ones. Over half of the detainees remain cleared for release, and yet they remain in the inhumane conditions of Guantanamo, many for over eight years. The small number of detainees announced for trials by civilian courts, including those accused of involvement in the September 11 terrorist attacks, are now at risk of being taken through the internationally condemned military commissions system due to mounting political pressure and rumours of a political deal to secure the closure of Guantanamo Bay through congressional funding, rather than securing human rights, peace and security.

Amnesty International has repeatedly condemned the military commissions system, and believes that all trials should be held in civilian courts where international fair trial standards are adhered to and a legitimate outcome would be obtained. President Obama and Attorney General, Eric Holder, should not be allowing politics to devalue basic human rights traditions and values.

The United States has refused to abide by its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Canadian national Omar Khadr was around fifteen when detained by US forces in Afghanistan. After eight years in arbitrary custody, he is now to be subjected to the fatally flawed military commissions system which contradicts both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Allegations and admissions of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment remain un-investigated, and those who perpetrated these acts are left unaccountable for their actions. It has been over 1200 days since former President George W. Bush admitted that the CIA was running the ‘extraordinary rendition’ program which was responsible for the enforced disappearance of countless men and women.

Documents and photo evidence depicting interrogations, continues to be blocked by the Obama administration, the same administration that campaigned on the basis that his government would remain transparent and accountable. Like under the former Bush administration, the public will never know what really happened, and the extent of the abusive interrogation techniques that were employed. Although evidence continues to mount, no one has been brought to justice for either authorising or carrying out torture techniques that violated international human rights law standards, such as water boarding.

Amnesty International believes that “The failure – by all branches of the US government – to address these issues under a human rights framework are continuing to leave the USA on the wrong side of its international obligations.”

In the words of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, when injustice anywhere is ignored, justice everywhere is denied.

Read the full report, USA: Daily injustice, immeasurable damage.