(April 24, 2010)
To the Editor:
The long drawn out stay in jail that Mr. Sibat of Lebanon has gone through is truly a traumatizing set of circumstances for he and his family. While this is unjust and inhumane, it brings to light a perspective of the United States' justice system that as a citizen, we don't often think about. Often times, citizens of the United States feel as though our justice system isn't fair, but put in a world context, I would vehemently argue otherwise. In Saudi Arabia, "the judges think they are the interpreters of God's word, and this is the whole problem in Saudi Arabia". In the United States, while everyone has their own biases, the judicial system is set up with a just trial as a priority. Unfortunately in Saudi Arabia, cases like this one are not at all unlikely, as a matter of fact, this particular case is not a topic of much public attention or outrage. Many of us U.S. citizens may not realize how lucky we are. We are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Sibat is being treated with the opposite mindset. Hopefully, you have not had to go to jail for fraud, but I am almost certain that because our justice system is set up the way that it is, you would not be executed via "long, curved sword."
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