According to press reports, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar has sent a letter to the US government to demand that the Taliban and al-Qaeda captives now detained in Guantanamo, Cuba, be treated as prisoners of war (POW) (Prisoners in Cuba not POWs: US envoy, Jan 25). According to the Geneva Convention, prisoners of war should not be subject to torture and other inhumane treatments.

While I am not an expert in international law or military justice, I feel that the captured fighters should be classified as POW though some of them may still be dangerous and remain a threat to world security.

However, my concern is the hypocrisy and double standards of our government.

Why is it imploring mercy on behalf of these terrorists who think nothing of killing thousands and will not think twice about overthrowing any 'non-conforming' (to their ideology) governments (ours included) if they have half the chance?

If it is so charitable, it should not have the Internal Security Act (ISA) to detain peaceful and legitimate dissidents like Hishamuddin Rais, Tian Chua, Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor and Lokman Nor Adam so mercilessly. The act is itself a violation of human rights in this context.

If our government wants to be known for being compassionate, it should show charity at home first.