Noam Chomsky: Britain has failed US detainees

[marmar]

from the Independent UK:



Chomsky: Britain has failed US detainees

By Robert Verkaik, Law Editor
Saturday, 30 August 2008



Britain has failed in its duty to stop the US from committing "shameful acts" in the treatment of suspects detained during the war on terror, one of America's most respected intellectuals warns today.

In an interview with The Independent, Professor Noam Chomsky calls on the Government to use its special relationship with Washington America to secure the closure of Guantanamo Bay.

Claiming that he has heard only "twitters of protest" in the UK , the emeritus professor of linguistics also asks British "thinkers" to be more conspicuous in their opposition to the erosion of civil rights since the 9.11 attacks on the US.

In the wake of the invasion of Iraq, Prof Chomsky, a leading opponent of the Vietnam conflict, has been the most prominent among US intellectuals critical of the war with the Iraq and the treatment of terror suspects sent to Guantanamo Bay and other prison camps around the world.

Professor Chomsky's comments now call into question Britain's political and intellectual will to stand up for the rule of law in the face of actions that have been repeatedly condemned by courts on both sides of the Atlantic.

While a small number of British writers, artists and philosophers continue to voice their concerns about UK involvement in America's rendition programme and its refusal to close Guantanamo Bay, a concerted opposition among the so called liberal intelligentsia has failed to materialise. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/chomsky-britain-has-failed-us-detainees-913318.html

[LeftishBrit]

1. Sadly, I think he is right.