Upholding the Rule of Law

Although it may amount to nothing much in the practical sense, the ruling by the Supreme Court of Italy that upholds the conviction of 23 Americans that engaged in the kidnapping of an Egyptian, to deliver him to a country where he could be tortured without the U.S. taking the blame for it, is significant, being the first time that people are convicted, albeit in absentia, for such a practice. For those of us who believe in the rule of law, it's important that there be a clear rejection of any and all ways of circumventing of civil, constitutional and human rights and safeguards. No matter if those 23 Americans never serve a day in prison for what they did. The important thing is that somewhere in the planet they were officially condemned for it; that it wasn't swept under the rug, as if it didn't matter.

Italy has had the courage and decency to act on behalf of all of us around the world who refuse to accept lawlessness in the name of counterterrorism.

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