Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Gitmo Detainees

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PlusSupreme Court Rules in Favor of Gitmo DetaineesSupreme Court Rules in Favor of Gitmo DetaineesThe Associated PressThe Supreme Court ruled Thursday that foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay may challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts. The court ruled 5-4 that the government is violating the constitutional rights of prisoners. (June 12)A divided Supreme Court says foreign terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have the right to challenge their detention in civilian courts. It's the third high court ruling on the subject. The previous two times, the administration and the Republican-controlled Congress changed the law to block detainees from court.Writing for the five-four majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy said: "THE LAWS AND CONSTITUTION ARE DESIGNED TO SURVIVE, AND REMAIN IN FORCE, IN EXTRAORDINARY TIMES."(SOT: MICHAEL RATNER/CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS)(13:06:35) I HAD TEARS IN MY EYES. I JUST THINK IT'S THE MOST CRITICAL DECISION WE'VE WON IN YEARS AND HOPEFULLY BEGINS TO END REALLY THE EXCESSES OF THE SO CALLED WAR ON TERROR OF THIS ADMINISTRATION. The Center for Constitutional Rights represents many of the 270 men still held at the U-S Naval base in Cuba. Among the prisoners are men considered high-value targets. They including Khalid Sheik Mohammad, who the government says was the mastermind of the September 11th attacks. (SOT: MICHAEL RATNER)(13:07:38) I THINK THE HIGH MAJORITY OF PEOPLE AT GUANTANAMO WILL BE FREED BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT JUST DOES NOT HAVE THE EVIDENCE TO HOLD THEM. In Rome, President Bush said he will look into whether new legislation is appropriate.(SOT: PRESIDENT BUSH)(13:50:12) AS TO THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION. WE'LL ABIDE BY THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION. THAT DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE TO AGREE WITH IT. THIS IS A DEEPLY DIVIDED COURT AND I STRONGLY AGREE WITH THOSE WHO DISSENTED. The courts most conservative members dissented. Antonin Scalia wrote that the U-S is 'at war with radical Islamists" and that the court's decision "will make the war harder on us. It will almost certainly cause more Americans to be killed."It's not clear whether the ruling will lead to prompt hearings for the detainees. Federal judges are scrambling to read the decision and figure out how to proceed. ___ ___, The Associated Press.

Category: News
Uploaded: June 12th, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
Author: AssociatedPress

Length: 01:40
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