I have always seen America has a fair country, sometimes flawed, but ultimately doing what is right and proper. However, its treatment of Private Bradley Manning has been lacking in human decency. I have mixed views on whether it was right that Manning should have passed confidential documents to the egotistical Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, but he not only deserves a fair trial in keeping with the law of the land, but also be treated humanely while in custody.
It seems he has been moved to another military prison and it is hoped that his treatment will be better than he received at Fort Leavenworth, where for a time he was made to sleep naked, stand outside his cell for inspection stripped and wear a smock during daytime. In addition his only exercise was to walk in circles around another prison room and reply every five minutes to the question "Are you okay?". He has been held in solitary confinement and refused visits, with a level of surveillance that can only be described as cruel and vindictive.
Amnesty International and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, have expressed concern about his treatment, which is damning for a country that purports to be the world's moral policeman and an embarrassment for Barack Obama, who has allowed it to happen on his watch. As with Guantanamo Bay, Mr Obama has a knack of bowing down to the military.
One can understand the anger of Americans to any illegal disclosures damaging to the country and its security, but if another country treated one of its own citizens in such a manner, then the rest of the world would rightly complain.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of Private Manning's actions, he should not be punished without a fair trial. It is shameful and disappointing whenever America stands accused of behaviour lacking in humanity.
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