Supreme Court Favors Habeas Corpus for Guantanamo Detainees

In a vote of 5-4 on June 12, the Supreme Court ruled that Guantanamo detainees can challenge their detention in court. Habeas corpus, the right of an accused to challenge the charges against him, was suspended for Guantanamo Bay detainees by the 2006 Military Commissions Act. The act established special military courts, and special rules to govern them. To enable the act, the Administration made the argument that these detainees are not being held on U.S. soil, and are not entitled to the full privileges of due processes because of their status as ‘enemy combatants.’ The consequences are unclear for the 270 remaining detainees, or for those, like Khaled Sheikh Mohammad, who are already in the process of being tried under the tribunal system.

The LA Times has compiled an informative article on what the ruling will mean for Guantanamo prisoners.

For more reading on Guantanamo Bay and the War on Terror, check out readings by U.S. Politics guide Kathy Gill.