Today’s Good News: Supreme Court Supports Gitmo Detainees
Hopefully the third time will prove the charm. Last Thursday, for the third time, the Supreme Court has upheld the fundamental rights of Guantanamo detainees. It affirmed detainees’ right to habeas corpus. One of the oldest and most basic legal protections, habeas corpus affords the incarcerated the right to challenge the legality of their detention before a judge, and keeps the king, president, vice president, etc. from arbitrarily locking people up and throwing away the key.The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) was the first organization to stand up for the detainees. CCR has been supported by over 500 volunteer lawyers who have committed themselves to defending the rights of Guantanamo’s detainees, and many thousands of others who have acted to demand that the Constitution be upheld.
CCR also connects the dots between repression at Guantanamo and here at home. ”Since our inception in the 1960’s, when our attorneys defended protestors at the Chicago Democratic National Convention, CCR has been at the forefront of criminal justice issues such as mass incarceration, jail expansion, and challenging unjust detentions. In a country that puts more people in jail than any other country in the world, we will continue to fight the mass incarceration of millions in our nation’s prison system, as well as challenge practices such as racial profiling, immigrant detention, and discriminatory laws that lead to a disproportionate number of people of color behind bars. ”
Sadly, those languishing at Guantanamo, many of whom are doubtless completely innocent, will likely be stuck there for more months, if not years. CCR asks you to join them in demanding that our Presidential candidates agree to close Guantanamo and abide by the court’s decision. Sign the petition here.
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