BTL:Guantanamo Detainees Subjected to Pentagon-Run "Kangaroo Court"

Guantanamo Detainees Subjected to Pentagon-Run "Kangaroo Court"

Interview with Michael Ratner, principal attorney for prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, U.S. Naval Base conducted by Scott Harris

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two landmark rulings which affirmed the legal rights of both U.S. and foreign citizens to challenge their military detention before a judge or other neutral decision-maker. The ruling rejected arguments made by the White House that the president should retain unchecked power to hold prisoners it labels as "enemy combatants," without charge and without access to the courts. The cases were filed on behalf of a U.S. citizen and 16 foreign born men seized in Afghanistan during the U.S invasion there in 2001 and 2002.

Now the Pentagon is conducting war crimes trials for some prisoners at Guantanamo and "Combatant Status Review Tribunals" in what the government says is an effort to comply with the Supreme Court ruling. These hearings are conducted by three officers where prisoners are provided with a "personal representative," who as military officers, have no right to confidential consultation with their clients. Additionally, detainees have no right to know the source of charges filed against them.

But, human rights groups and attorneys involved in the cases have condemned the proceedings as non-compliant with the Supreme Court's decision. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Michael Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights and a principal attorney for prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base. He assesses the Bush administration's compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to provide these detainees with due process.

Contact the Center for Constitutional Rights by calling (212) 614-6464 or visit their website at www.ccr-ny.org. Michael Ratner is co-author with with Ellen Ray, of the book: "Guantanamo: What The World Should Know."

Related links:



"Guantanamo's military trials are condemned as grossly unfair," by Andrew Buncombe, The Independent, Aug. 23 2004

"Bush Administration Memos on Torture Policy Reveal Official Complicity in Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners," Between The Lines interview with Michael Ratner, conducted by Scott Harris, Between The Lines for week ending 6/25/04

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