Prosecuting Terrorism

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Federal trials protect human rights—and the United States.

Military commissions at Gitmo, now in their third incarnation, are a failed experiment. Structurally shoddy and constitutionally dubious, they have produced few convictions while undermining the rule of law. Federal trials, by contrast, have produced more than 400 convictions of terrorists since 9-11, denied Al Qaeda members the warriors’ martyrdom they seek, and set a standard of justice before the world. Photo: AP.

Latest News and Press Releases

April 10, 2019

New Evidence of 9/11 Plot Planning Emerges, But Still No Trial Date Set

By Dalya Kefi In late March, I visited the Guantanamo Bay Military Commissions as an NGO observer. On the docket was United States v. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, et al, a case against five alleged...

December 17, 2018

Guantanamo Detainee Questions Scope of the Government’s Detention Authority

By Joy Bagwell The Guantanamo Bay Periodic Review Board convened on Tuesday, November 20 to determine whether Hasan Ahmen Guleed, also known as Guled Hassan Duran, should be transferred out of the...

December 17, 2018

Alleged Bin Laden Bodyguard Boycotts Periodic Review Board Process

On Tuesday the Periodic Review Board held a review of Guantanamo detainee Sanad Ali Yislam Al Kazimi. Al Kazimi refused to participate, however, and a statement from his personal representative...

October 29, 2018

Looking for Justice? Avoid Guantanamo

The Pentagon is reportedly considering a new military commission trial at Guantanamo Bay. It would be the U.S. government’s second attempt to try Indonesian detainee Riduan bin Isomuddin, known as...

October 24, 2018

Nashiri Trial Moves Forward, Despite Possible Ethics Violations

By Joy Bagwell Earlier this month the Court of Military Commissions Review (CMCR) handed down a decision permitting Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri’s trial at Guantanamo Bay to move forward, despite...

September 27, 2018

After 17 Years, Justice For 9/11 Remains Elusive

By Sushma Raman “My father, along with many residents of the New Jersey town we are from, died on 9/11. My mother died recently, without seeing justice. It is...

September 07, 2018

September 11 Trial Update: New Decision Highlights the Strategic Consequences of Torture

Last week, a Guantanamo military commission judge ruled that statements made by five detainees suspected of being involved in the September 11 attacks are inadmissible in court because of their...

Resources

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Issue Brief | 2019

Detaining and Prosecuting Terrorism Suspects

Introduction

As the armed conflict with various organized terrorist groups stretches into its sixteenth year, the United States continues to wrestle with the most effective way to handle captured terrorism suspects consistent with American values and the rule of law.

Issue Brief | January 04, 2019

Detaining and Prosecuting Terrorism Suspects

Introduction As the armed conflict with various organized terrorist groups stretches into its sixteenth year, the United States continues to wrestle with the most effective way to handle captured...

Letter | April 23, 2018

109 Retired Military Leaders Raise Concerns About CIA Nominee Gina Haspel

Dear Senator: As retired general and flag officers of the United States military, we write to express our profound concern about the nomination of Gina Haspel to be Director of the Central...

Factsheet | February 16, 2018

Dropped Charges, Overturned Convictions, and Delayed Trials in Guantanamo Military Commissions

Those eager for swift justice against accused terrorism suspects have at times called for sending suspects to the military commission system in Guantanamo based on fears that suspects may be...

Factsheet | February 14, 2018

Federal Courts Continue to Take Lead in Counterterrorism Prosecutions

Number of individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses in federal courts since 9/11: 668 Number of district courts where terrorism-related convictions have been secured: 67 Number...