U.S. to Change Terror War Detainee Treatment

The Bush administration announced today that it will extend the protection of Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions to all current and future military detainees in U.S. hands, including the 450 prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

As reported by USAToday, the White House reversed its policy in response to last month's Supreme Court decision striking down the special military tribunals for detainees proposed by President Bush in 2001. In its ruling, the Court held that Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions "applies as a matter of law to the conflict with al-Qaeda."

Article 3 prohibits all forms of violence and "outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment," against prisoners of war.

Also See: Court To Bush: Gitmo Trials Illegal