RESOLUTION TO CLOSE DOWN THE DETENTION CAMP IN THE U.S. NAVAL BASE AT GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

WHEREAS, it is now over seven years since the first detainees were transferred to the detention camp at the US Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and

WHEREAS, every stage of their ordeal, their dignity, humanity and fundamental rights have been denied; and

WHEREAS, despite widespread international condemnation from such respective bodies as the United Nations and the European Union, hundreds of people of more than 30 nationalities are still detained; and

 WHEREAS, these hundreds of people are neither prisoners of war, who are treated under the Geneva Convention, nor accused criminals, who have the right of lawyers and a trail; and

WHEREAS, it is without question, that governments have a duty to protect the safety of the public and; therefore, take all reasonable and lawful steps to prevent acts of terror and bring to justice those responsible for committing or planning such acts; and,

WHEREAS, it is without question, if the authorities have evidence that these people have committed crimes, they should charge and try them; and, if they do not have such evidence, they should release them; and

WHEREAS, Guantanamo is emblematic of the US government's failure to fulfill that duty; and

WHEREAS, these hundreds of people are being called "enemy combatants", held without charge and with little hope of obtaining a fair trial; and

WHEREAS, Guantanamo Bay is regarded worldwide as an icon of lawlessness, a legal and moral disgrace and a symbol of injustice and abuse:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party of Kaua'i declares...Enough is enough!

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED Democratic Party of Kauai declares the detention camp in the U.S. Navel Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, must be closed down.  

Adopted by the Democratic Party of Kaua'i

May 3, 2008