Fred Thompson
What should be the role of human rights in U.S foreign policy? What should the United States do about human rights violations in places such as Burma, China, Pakistan and Russia?
No stated position found.
What should the United States do to stop the genocide in Darfur?
Thompson does not have a clear stance on U.S action in stopping the genocide, but he did argue against UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon when he blamed the current genocide on global warming.
When, if ever, should the United States engage in military action to stop genocide or ethnic cleansing?
No stated position found.
Should the United States close the prison camp in Guantanamo? If so, what should be done with the prisoners there?
Thompson has states that “Guantanamo Bay is necessary. Those who have criticized Guantanamo Bay do not come with any alternative.” He has also argued that Guantanamo detainees should not have habeas corpus rights because “they are not United States citizens” and that “The legislation that passed Congress and was enacted into law gives them the rights that are appropriate … but they do not have the same rights as United States citizens and they should not.”
Are there any circumstances for when torture or extreme techniques of interrogation is appropriate?
Thompson says that he would verify any information and then go in with “all power necessary.”
Should provisions about labor rights be included in future trade agreements?
In the Senate, Thompson has supported free trade agreements and voted to kill an amendment that would have required future trade agreements to have enforceable standards for workers’ rights. (roll call 11, 2002)
How can the United States best promote democracy around the world?
Thompson has not specifically addressed promoting or spreading democracy. But with regards to “nation-building,” Thompson responded, “Well I wouldn’t call it nation-building. I think that when we’re in a situation like the one in Iraq, we’ve got to prevail, number one. We’ve got to leave that place on its feet so that it can govern itself and so that it can have freedom. I wouldn’t call that nation building, I would call that assisting people to enjoy democracy and be our ally and our friend in the future. But I don’t like that phrase. You don’t build other nations. Sometimes if the ingredients are there you can assist other nations in doing some good things.”
Position on ICC ratification.
In response to an American Conservative Union questionnaire, Thompson responded: “Agreements like the Kyoto Protocol on Global Climate Change, the Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea undercut U.S. sovereignty by requiring the American people to comply with international mandates developed and arbitrated by international decision-makers who are neither accountable to nor elected by the American people. These types of international agreements, such as international multilateral trade agreements, can be beneficial to U.S interests but they must be evaluated very carefully to ensure that they never intrude excessively on our sovereignty.”
