George Bush's criminal response to the September 11 attacks not only created a humanitarian crisis but also laid the groundwork for the emergence of lawless policies during Donald Trump's presidency. If Bush and his vice president, Dick Cheney, had prosecuted their crimes instead of trampling on human rights principles, Trump would never have been able to so easily implement his law-breaking policies.
History is a Strict Teacher
On a bright and pleasant morning twenty-five years ago, I was sitting in the office of Human Rights Watch in the Empire State Building, witnessing the fall of the World Trade Center with my own eyes. The Al-Qaeda attacks sounded the alarm and created an urgent need for a response. However, Bush and Cheney decided to disregard the law and trample on every rule. By using torture and endless detentions without trial in Guantanamo, they paved the way for subsequent lawlessness.
Consequences of Bush's Policies
These policies not only led to human rights violations but also allowed every subsequent president, including Trump, to easily exploit those precedents. The lawlessness that began during Bush's era became a norm, enabling Trump to continue his illegal policies with ease. In fact, Bush's impunity set the stage for Trump's lawlessness.
Today, we cannot turn back history, but we can learn from our historical failures. If the global community and human rights institutions fulfill their duties properly, we can prevent the repetition of these mistakes and move towards a fairer future.
