Lawyers for Guantanamo detainees claim victory
The Supreme Court has finally brought an end to one of our nation's most egregious injustices. By granting the writ of habeas corpus, the Supreme Court recognises a rule of law established hundreds of years ago and essential to American jurisprudence since our nation's founding."
Vincent Warren, head of the New York-based , which represents dozens of prisoners at Guantanamo, welcoming the US Supreme Court ruling that 270 prisoners, held for more than six years on suspicion of terrorism or links to Al Qaeda and the Taliban, have a constitutional right to take their cases to US civilian courts. CCR as "one of the most important human rights cases of the decade".
The case before the Supreme Court which resulted in this landmark judgment -- a ruling which may signal the death knell of the controversial detention centre at Guantanamo Bay -- is Boumediene et al. v. Bush, President of the United States, et al. Read the entire judgment .
The reaction of the human rights organisation Reprieve, which represents thirty-five of the detainees, is published . Zachary Katznelson, Legal Director of Reprieve says: "Governments make mistakes. We all do. After today, Guantánamo Bay prisoners have the right to say: you made a mistake with me - set me free. Any one of us would want the same. Nonetheless, the Bush Administration has tried to put itself above the law again and again. While this is a great legal victory, it remains to be seen whether there will now be a move to justice on the ground. Justice in name only is still justice denied."
Comments Post your comment