UK Government Abandon Citizens in Guantánamo

Once again the British government casts aside its citizens and leaves them at the mercy of the US government. This time, however, it is not a bunch of wealthy bankers living in luxury, it is a small group of Muslims who have been held at Guantanamo for at least four years. As ever, there is little public outcry as the government turns there back on their rights to a fair judicial process, and instead leaves them at the mercy of what amounts to a kangaroo court.

According to The Guardian, only one of the nine is being considered for transfer for the UK. Bisher al-Rawi is known for helping MI5 keep an eye on Abu Qatada, the man suspected of links to Al-Qaeda. The rest are, as far as the UK government is concerned, can be left to the 'justice' dispensed by the American justice system.

It is all very different from the reaction when three Natwest bankers were extradited to America for their alleged role in the Enron scandal. Of course, there are many differences between the two cases. One involves white, middle class, wealthy bankers. The other one does not. Until the establishment deals with the racism at its core, travesties like Guantanamo will continue to happen.