Suicide Bombers caught in Birmingham

[MJT2003]

For the sake of argument, let's assume, beyond any doubt, the people caught in Birmingham are the failed suicide bombers. 

On the basis that these people were prepared to kill and maim as many innocent people as possible, thereby showing no respect for human life, should we afford them any human rights?

[kick3m0n]

yes we should, otherwise we are no better than them.

[Dom Tuk]

Yes we do as that is the law of our land. They have to be convicted in our courts with the prosecution providing beyond all resonable doubt that they committed the crimes they were accused of. This is no silly matter. Our land, our lives and our justice system is based on this premise. If we give up this basic right, if we dont stand to defend it now, then we are on a slippery sliding slope to where some other dictatorial countries are now. It does not take long for that to happen.

[jake-the-peg]

If they get treated as anything other than criminals it would acknowlege them as political and aid recruitment. Guantanamo must have been as much a gift for recruitment as it was for the IRA when we tried internment in Northern Ireland.

The glamour of the cause needs to be well and truely squashed fourty years of prridge and slopping out will be much more effective than that.

Or are you suggesting that capital punishment should be brought back as a deterrent to suicide bombers? :c) 

[nedflanders]

Oh im sure Cherie Blair would make sure they have their human rights! She has made a fortune off the back of it !

[Peter Pedant]

yes we should afford them Human Rights unless and until we know they are failed suicide bombers and not Brazilian electricians.

And after that, then some. Really I cant believe some people, they hear on Canuck-news or whatever, that some suicide bombers have been arrested, shot or otherwise stopped in their tracks and believe it must be so.

[bernardo]

Of course we should - and the reason is there in your first sentence.  We should not "assume, beyond any doubt, the people caught in Birmingham are the failed suicide bombers"; we (and the law) should assume that they are innocent until and unless proved, beyond reasonable doubt, to be guilty.

[magicbeatle]

No!