BAD NEWS

Britain Confirms Extended Detention of Afghans

Up to 90 held without charges.

Is Britain taking cues from the U.S. here or something? Please note: President Obama has vowed to shut down Guantánamo Bay, so please don’t start your own version. British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond confirmed that between 80 to 90 Afghans have been held for at least 14 months at an army base in Afghanistan—without being charged. Hammond defended the detentions at Camp Baston, saying the detainees are considered too dangerous to be released and “exceptional circumstances” allows them to be held. Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for the prisoners to be released into Afghanistan’s custody, but Britain has not handed over any prisoners since allegations last November that detainees were being abused.