Court: Guantanamo Bay prisoners can have lawyers

[Whoa_Nelly]

SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal appeals court ruled today for the first time that prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba should have access to lawyers and the American court system.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' 2-1 decision was a rebuke to the Bush Administration.

<snip>
"Even in times of national emergency -- indeed, particularly in such times -- it is the obligation of the Judicial Branch to ensure the preservation of our constitutional values and to prevent the Executive Branch from running roughshod over the rights of citizens and aliens alike," Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote for the majority.

"We cannot simply accept the government's position," Reinhardt continued, "that the Executive Branch possesses the unchecked authority to imprison indefinitely any persons, foreign citizens included, on territory under the sole jurisdiction and control of the United States, without permitting such prisoners recourse of any kind to any judicial forum, or even access to counsel, regardless of the length or manner of their confinement."

more...
http://www.jacksonsun.com/news/20031218_gatmo.shtml

[LuminousX]

1. A bit of sunshine in this murky time?

Please let this be a sign that we are coming to our senses.

[roguevalley]

2. Thank you, Jesus! I feel something good is happening.

[tkulesa]

3. This will get appealed

And I'm sure there will be a stay until then.

But this is still awesome news.

Little by little the Judicial branch is going to have to kick * back into line. I just hope it isn't so stacked by loyalist republicans that they are unable to do the job.

[the_boxer_]

5. I heard that the administration would ask for a stay...

freakin' ridiculous...

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CheshireCat]

6. I can't believe it.

The treatment of the prisoners at Gitmo have brought shame to America. This could be a first step for remedying the situation.

No doubt it will go to the Supreme Court - where I see it going either way.

[Cronus Protagonist]

7. Maybe they'll get some answers now...

http://bushspeaks.com/home.asp?did=151&dir=b



"Terminate Governor Gangbang" Buttons, Stickers & Magnets

[Moderator]

8. dupe

please continue here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=275988

DU Moderator