The Washington Post reports that Germany is considering deporting suspects in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States to countries where the suspects are more likely to be convicted.

HAMBURG -- After three years of failing to hold anyone accountable for the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Germany is preparing to expel accused members of the Hamburg-based cell that led the hijackings and send them to countries with more aggressive records of prosecuting terrorism.

While I want everyone who played a role in those horrible attacks to be brought to justice, I have my misgivings about this approach. Far be it from me to tell the German government to conduct themselves, but I have to state my opinion.

And my opinion is that democracies operate under the rule of law, and if you don't follow the laws you have, you run the risk of engaging in the very abuse that laws are intended to prevent.

Extradition is the legal method to move suspects to jurisdictions where they can be tried for the crimes they may have committed. Deportation shouldn't be used as a tool to fix your inadequate laws.