Yesterday, a heated debate took place on the Senate floor over an amendment proposed by Senator Lindsey Graham that would have prevented the 9/11 defendants from facing justice in U.S. federal courts. It did not pass. In a major victory for our campaign to close Guantanamo the Senate rejected this attempt to derail Guantanamo’s closure and prevent the United States from rebuilding our reputation.
The voices of dozens of retired military leaders, experienced prosecutors, correctional officers, and committed activists who all want to see Guantanamo swiftly closed – and understand that our institutions are up to the job of dealing with terrorist suspects — is starting to break through and be heard by Congress. As we await the announcement of President Obama’s plan to close Guantanamo, we can be hopeful that the tide of fear-mongering that has muddied this debate is being to ebb.
Victories like this take work. Last night on the Senate floor, Senator Patrick Leahy pointed to the bipartisan declaration signed by 120 prominent Americans including former Members of Congress, high-ranking military officials and judges, that Human Rights First partnered with the Constitution Project to organize. As today’s Wall Street Journal noted, “Hours after the petition’s release, the Senate rejected an amendment that would have barred prosecuting Guantanamo inmates in federal court.”
Also yesterday, Human Rights First travelled to Michigan where a debate has been underway over whether Guantanamo detainees will be sent to the Standish prison facility. Two retired military leaders who travelled there with us had their message of support for closing Guantanamo appear in an op-ed published in the Detroit Free Press.
Most importantly, this victory took the help of people all across the country. Within hours of sounding the alarm, thousands took action, sending messages to their Senators letting them know that they opposed this destructive amendment.
Join us in this important effort to make sure Guantanamo is closed. You can sign up to help and stay informed on our website and on Facebook.
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Are you implying that you think there are some “9/11 defendants” at Guantanamo?
Guantanamo is of little significance while Obama maintains other more secretive gulags and torture centers scattered around the world including Baghram in Afghanistan. Bush closed down Abu Ghraib (eventually). Was that a big deal? The talk about Guantanamo seems like a PR stunt frankly. Something Obama can point to as a “w”.
What I want to know is what is Palau receiving besides Uighers for voting with the U.S. and Israel against the Goldstone report.
Graham’s amendment failed..good.
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“The United States is paying Palau a little less than $100,000 for each Uighur to cover housing, educating and food costs, Toribiong said.
Toribiong says the Uighurs’ resettlement is temporary, but could last months or years.
Though they won’t get Palauan passports, Toribiong says, the Uighurs will be free to leave Palau — if they can find a country that will take them. ”
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202435145640&rss=newswire
Sharon,
Thank you so much for the terrific work Human Rights First did in bringing together the signatories to the bipartisan declaration. That is a great achievement and it was right for Leahy to point it out on the Senate floor. For the WSJ to connect the dots to your declaration playing a role in the defeat of the Graham amendment is just icing on the cake.
Well done!