Killing in the name of
Killing in the name of
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
(Now you're under control)
Rage Against the Machine “Killing in the Name Of”
Donald Trump’s proposal to send undocumented migrants, including those from allied nations, to Guantanamo Bay is far more than simply a "bad idea"; it represents a chilling embrace of authoritarian tactics that echoes the very darkest chapters of 20th-century history. This policy, coupled with the deeply alarming intent to bypass international notification protocols and deploy American troops against its own protesting citizens, signals a profound and dangerous disregard for fundamental human rights, due process and the absolute rule of law. It marks a worrying departure from established democratic norms and values.
The very notion of utilising Guantanamo Bay as a mass detention centre for immigrants conjures disturbing parallels to the Soviet Gulag and Nazi concentration camps. The underlying principles are eerily and profoundly similar: the systematic removal of individuals from civil society, their indefinite detention outside established legal frameworks and their placement in remote, inaccessible locations where abuses can be hidden from public scrutiny and accountability. This deliberate isolation serves to obscure suffering and circumvent legal oversight, creating a system ripe for exploitation. The historical precedent of these totalitarian systems should serve as a stark warning.
Guantanamo Bay is already infamous for its deeply troubling history of human rights abuses, including documented instances of torture, prolonged indefinite detention without charge or trial and the systematic denial of fundamental legal protections. To propose expanding its use for a population of migrants, many of whom are genuinely seeking asylum or merely attempting to enter the country, is to deliberately extend and entrench this grim legacy of infamy. The deliberate choice of an offshore location, out of communication, deliberately hidden from public view, and notoriously associated with the suspension of habeas corpus, is a calculated and cynical move to create a legal "black hole" where individuals can be held indefinitely, far beyond the reach of meaningful legal challenge or robust international oversight. This creates an environment of impunity where human rights violations will proliferate unchecked. Do not be surprised if Trump executes inmates who are deemed ‘troublesome’.
The Trump administration plans to not inform the home countries of these detained citizens represents an egregious and frankly unacceptable violation of international norms and established diplomatic relations. This deliberate obfuscation of individuals' whereabouts is a tactic typically employed by repressive and tyrannical regimes to "disappear" political prisoners and dissidents. When applied to citizens of allied nations, it not only risks creating severe diplomatic crises, as already indicated by Italy's vows to prevent such transfers, but also fundamentally undermines the very fabric of international cooperation, trust and mutual respect. It sends a clear and chilling message that the United States, under such a policy, is willing to treat its allies' citizens with the same profound contempt typically reserved for perceived enemies, further isolating itself on the global stage and eroding its moral authority. Such a policy is a significant blow to global stability and human dignity. I call on the ICC to indict Trump for crimes against humanity to be added to the long overdue indictment for War Crimes in his support of the IDF.
Furthermore, the deeply disturbing intention to potentially use American troops against its own citizens who are peacefully protesting government actions, under the flimsy and utterly insufficient pretext of merely "disliked protestors," elevates this proposed authoritarian turn to an even more dangerous level. The deployment of the military for domestic law enforcement purposes, especially against peaceful assemblies, directly undermines the fundamental principle of civilian control over the military and risks escalating non-violent dissent into confrontational, and potentially deadly, encounters. This unprecedented move, when combined with the deeply troubling Guantanamo plan, paints a vivid and alarming picture of a government willing to employ extreme force and extrajudicial measures against those it deems undesirable, whether they are undocumented migrants seeking refuge or American citizens merely exercising their enshrined constitutional rights. Such actions represent a fundamental assault on democratic principles and the rights of citizens.
Trump's plan to send deportees to Guantanamo Bay is not merely a pragmatic, if indeed harsh, immigration policy. It is a profoundly alarming and deeply disturbing initiative that threatens to strip individuals of their most basic human rights, perpetuate a cycle of abuse and impunity and fundamentally undermine the bedrock principles of justice, transparency and accountability that are essential for any truly democratic society. By embracing tactics strikingly reminiscent of historical totalitarian regimes, this policy, coupled with the deeply worrying willingness to use the military against its own people, demonstrates a perilous trajectory towards an authoritarian state where due process, basic transparency and human dignity are callously sacrificed at the altar of political control and perceived national security.
The international community, human rights organisations and all who genuinely value human rights and democratic freedoms must vehemently condemn and actively resist this profoundly dangerous and morally reprehensible path. The ramifications of such a policy extend far beyond the immediate individuals affected, tarnishing the very notion of justice and fair play globally.
Share this post