To the Editors of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution,

RE: ALL PRISONERS HAVE RIGHTS, 11/24/2003

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/1103/24guantanamo.html

Your position is well taken concerning the prisoners at Guantanamo, but you're
mistaken when you state "The issues are complicated".

In fact 18 USC 2441, the War Crimes Act of 1996, makes it a federal offense for
any US national or service-member to commit a war crime "whether inside or
outside the United States", and defines a war crime as any grave breach of the
Geneva Conventions or certain violations of the Hague Convention.

The Bush administration is guilty of both, and there is substantial evidence
suggesting they are also violating 18 USC 2340 (torture).

There is no executive immunity or statute of limitations for such crimes

The truth is simple: the Bush administration is committing flagrant war crimes,
and they are a national disgrace. They should be indicted, convicted, and
punished for their crimes.

Charles Gittings
Oakland, California

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