David Hicks set to be Guantanamo’s only convict
Geoff Elliott: 14/6/08
David Hicks looks likely to be the Bush administration’s only successful conviction from the prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after a stunning decision by the US Supreme Court again threw the military trials at the US naval base into chaos. The court ruled that foreign detainees held for years at Guantanamo Bay had the right to appeal to US civilian courts to challenge their indefinite imprisonment without charge. The decision was welcomed by civil rights groups and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, who said: “The Supreme Court has sent a vitally important message that the protections afforded by fundamental human rights guarantees extend to these individuals, and that effective remedies must be available to them.”
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23859026-2703,00.html
Guantanamo Bay faces closure
14/6/08
The future of the controversial Guantanamo Bay detention centre is in serious doubt after a landmark Supreme Court ruling that detainees have the protections of the US constitution, including the right to appeal to US courts. The ruling will ignite a flashpoint in the presidential campaign, after Democratic nominee Barack Obama and Republican John McCain disagreed on the court ruling and its likely impact on the fight against terrorism. It is the third rebuke to the Bush Administration from the court and comes at a time when it will be difficult for the President to convince Congress to make further amendments.
See: http://www.theage.com.au/world/guantanamo-bay-faces-closure-20080613-2q93.html
Court ruling won’t halt military trials; Anne Davies; 14/6/08; See: http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/court-ruling-wont-halt-military-trials/2008/06/13/1213321620119.html
Easier to say that Guantanamo should be closed than to work out how; William Glaberson; 14/6/08; http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/easier-to-say-that-guantanamo-should-be-closed-than-to-work-out-how/2008/06/13/1213321620122.html
Bush vents anger at Guantanamo ruling; 13/6/08; http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bush-vents-anger-at-guantanamo-ruling/2008/06/13/1213283198175.html
Tags: Guantanamo Bay, Terrorism, USA