January 13th 2012 - January 26th 2012 guantanamo
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amenities such as video games and cable TV. U.S. officials have rejected most allegations of abusive conditions, and reports of clashes with guards and turmoil have dropped along with the decline in the prison population. But the U.S. government also decided Guantanamo’s reputation was more trouble than it was worth and began trying to empty it under Bush. His administration released 537 prisoners, transferring them to other countries or freeing them outright. Under Obama, Congress balked at releasing prisoners, citing concerns that some already let go had rejoined the Taliban or al-Qaida. Congress imposed a requirement that the Defense Department certify a prisoner did not pose a threat if released, a guarantee that officials said was nearly impossible to grant. The law Obama signed Dec. 31 softened the language, but it’s been a year since a single man has been transferred out. “These are men who were in their early 20s when they were picked up and now they are in their early 30s and a significant amount of their lives has slipped away while this debate has gone on and on and on,” said Cori Crider, a lawyer for the British human rights group Reprieve who represents several Guantanamo prisoners. Zachary Katznelson, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union, said Congress was more interested in scoring political points, and should listen to security experts. “We are not talking about releasing anyone who is dangerous. We’re talking about releasing people who the intelligence and military communities have unanimously agreed should be released,” Katznelson said. Congress also has prohibited moving any Guantanamo prisoners to the U.S. for detention or trial, which effectively blocked Obama’s goal of closing the prison by January 2009 and trying the self-proclaimed mastermind of the Sept. 11 attack, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed,
CIVIL RIGHTS
and others accused of war crimes in a civilian court. Mohammed is expected to be arraigned at the base later this year. Congress also stripped the prisoners of the right to challenge their detention in the courts by filing writs of habeas corpus. The Supreme Court returned that right, but the courts have said the U.S. can still detain men even if there is little evidence against them and no intention of charging them. When prisoners have won their cases in a lower court, the gov-
ernment has appealed and won. With such a bleak legal landscape, Chandler and his co-counsel withdrew alNahdi’s appeal rather than face certain defeat. It’s made for difficult meetings when the lawyers must explain why so many others, including prisoners who were convicted of war crimes, have been released.
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going to be charged. And of course, I have no answer to those questions,” Chandler said. -----------------------------------------------In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
“He says: ‘How come I can’t go home? I’ve never been charged and I’m never
The Muslim Community Center (MCC) 15200 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20905
Invites all to
THE ARABIC LANGUAGE CENTER SEMESTER STARTS: Saturday, January 28, 2012 REGISTRATION: IN-PERSON: Saturday, January 14th & January 21st, 10:30AM- 12:00PM ONLINE: http://mccmd.org/education/arabic
PLACEMENT TEST—FOR ALL STUDENTS:
Saturday, January 14th & January 21st, 12:00PM- 1:00PM
PROGRAM GOAL: Upon completion of this course (approx.
7 semesters), that student will reach a level of skills that will allow meaningful communication in spoken and written Arabic, as well as comprehension of Arabic texts, including the Al-Qur’an. More information at http://mccmd.org/education/arabic
CLASS INFORMATION:
Classes will be held every Saturday and Sunday for 2 hours each day between 8AM and 10AM.
TUITION: $300 per semester plus $50 registration fee Instructors Wanted: The MCC is adding to its panel of qualified instructors for the Arabic Language Center. Applications must be proficient in Arabic and English languages with substantial teaching experience. ALL POSITIONS ARE PAID. Email your resume to education@mccmd.org.
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