Deciding whether or not torture is ethical has become a controversial debate among many people. Torture is inhumane. Tactics are used to torture a criminal to make him do or confess something. Torture is seen as morally wrong; however, it is said to be necessary for our safety. Torture is unethical, anyone who does not feel sympathy for those retain in Guantanamo Bay should put themselves in their shoes, so that they can feel what it is like when their families are being threatened.

Guantanamo Bay is a detention camp located in the southeastern coast of Cuba. Guantanamo Bay became a detention camp to detain very dangerous criminal in 2002. The torture methods that are practiced are inhumane. A commonly held practice of torture would include when a prisoner is forcibly shaved in order to religiously humiliate the captive. This practice was also used on Jews by the Nazi soldiers. This practice is not only inhumane, but also goes against the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. In the United States we have the freedom of religion, but it does not seem evident when the prisoners are shaved in order to religiously humiliate him. In addition, threats toward family members are also used on Guantanamo bay prisoners.

These practices of torture are used to obtain information from the prisoner. However, there has to be a more peaceful and efficient way to do this.  An eleventh grader at Animo Pat Brown, Esteban Espino says, “change the perspective the prisoner has on you and maybe the prisoner will decide to confess.” As Esteban says there are other ways to persuade a prisoner to confess without using torture.

For years, Obama has promised American’s that Guantanamo Bay will be closed. He promised that he will work laboriously on his first term to close the detention center. Unfortunately, Guantanamo Bay still remains open. However, Barack Obama has made his priority to reduce the number of detainees that are being housed in Guantanamo. This detention was open in response to the 9/11 attack in 2001. Guantanamo has housed over 700 prisoners ever since it was open. Obama has made sure this number goes down. Currently, Guantanamo houses 122 prisoners. Although some believe Obama has not done anything to close Guantanamo, Obama has significantly reduced the number of detainees in this detention center.

A possible concern among many Americans is that if torture is prohibited our country will not be a safe place. Those who believe that even though torture is unethical, but it  is necessary for our country to be a better place will argue that torture can save human lives or prevent a terrorist attack if the suspect is unwilling to collaborate. Another student at Animo Pat Brown anonymously says, “ Torture is only justified to prevent terrorist attacks” in these cases the student says, “ will help our country be a safe place.” It is true that torture has helped our country become a better place, but there should be other methods that are as effective and peaceful.

I understand why torture is necessary for the safety of our country, but if maybe we can change the perspective the prisoner has of his torturer we can persuade them to confess. It is not ethical to torture a prisoner. They have feelings and feel pain just like any other human being. They should not be torture no matter what crime was committed. We should help find alternatives to torture.

Do you believe if we change the perspective of the prisoner, the prisoner will confess? Let us hear your opinion by commenting on the Gryphon Gazette.