Why suspend Habeas Corpus? Why place a statute of limitations on it?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpus#War_on_Terror

Answer 1

The government tried to do this for a few reasons, the really nasty ones they will never admit too.

The only reason given was what spewed out of McCain's mouth about Gitimo captive creating moral disputes about treatment under US citizenship guidelines.. You mean since they are not citizens of the USA they need to be tortured, denied sleep or food , or basic needs of hygiene? Sad humanity slipped that far to treat even evil people as animals in cages awaiting slaughter or the all to common boot to the head while you are down. This is not Justice ,

Answer 2

I couldn't get through the whole article.  Too much legaleze.  But if you're referring to the act of 1996, the statute of limitations was put on the suspension.  In other words, the statute did not limit the existence of habeas corpus but the temporary ban on it.  Unfortunately, the writ is suspended most often by people who don't want their opponents getting a day in open court.  Approximately 2500 people were interned after 9/11 without benefit of the writ.  In other words, they were not allowed to contact family members or lawyers or anyone else in the outside world.  We will never know how many innocent people languished in prison or for how long a time, or even if they are now free.  This government has shown itself to be quite willing to operate without habeas corpus for an unlimited time.  And the current law allows the President to suspend it at his will, without review or act of Congress  although it's supposed to be in case of a "national emergency".