HRF Natl Security

National Security team @humanrights1st. Close #Guantanamo, Ban #Torture, Limit #AUMF and #drones + other Human Rights issues. RTs ≠ endorsements.

[Carol Rosenberg @carolrosenberg]

My latest: Testimony, declassified documents at Guantanamo’s 9/11 hearings show the 2002-06 black sites as a CIA test lab that experimented with violence, nudity, isolation, sleep deprivation and psychological manipulation. https://t.co/RmHY7DCigX

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

To understand the current flaws in the PRB process, check out @HumanRights1st’s amicus brief: https://t.co/Oygc3PInzw

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

This morning, we attended the Periodic Review Board hearing for Khalid Ahmed Qasim, who has been detained at #GTMO without charge or trial since 2002. It lasted less than ten minutes, and he had met the personal rep accompanying him for the first time yesterday.

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

Further, the U.S. should prioritize closing the #GTMO detention facility, not expanding its use. Here is a list of some former U.S. officials who support closing Guantanamo: END
https://t.co/ETJHiY5nzJ

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

Thread: President Trump’s choice of Richard Grenell for Acting Director of National Intelligence is deeply concerning. Grenell has defended torture and expressed a desire to send more detainees to Guantanamo. 1/

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

Torture is illegal, counterproductive, and a violation of our core values as a nation. Here is a letter from 176 retired generals and admirals who agree: 3/
https://t.co/cEaxLNBlFH

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

These challenges and delays would not arise in federal courts, which are far more effective in prosecuting terrorism cases: https://t.co/FUU2j2DVwL

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

With the dysfunction of the #GTMO military commissions, a January 2021 date for jury selection in the 9/11 trial was always aspirational. But that date is sure to slip given the challenges associated with transitioning a new death penalty lawyer onto the team.

[Carol Rosenberg @carolrosenberg]

Today's report: On the judge agreeing to let the septuagenarian defense lawyer gradually withdraw from the 9/11 case and the (until today) secret communication link between prosecutors inside the war court and the CIA, other intel agencies outside of it.

https://t.co/2brYmjw8AI

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

The next 9/11 pretrial hearings, which were scheduled for March and April, have been canceled, indefinitely postponing the continued testimony of the two psychologists behind the CIA’s #torture program.

[Mark Fallon @glynco]

Frank Anderson, Former Spy Who Supplied Afghan Insurgents, Dies at 78 - May he R.I.P. a dedicated case officer, who stood against #torture and for the release of the SSCI #Torture Report with ⁦@HRFNatlSecurity⁩ #interrogation #NatSec professionals. https://t.co/67ObT3z9fi

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

@SenatorLeahy As former Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Charles Krulak said, President Trump's use of pardons in war-crimes cases "relinquishes the United States’ moral high ground and undermines the good order and discipline critical to winning on the battlefield.” https://t.co/FRcjJjAoCC

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

Thank you, @SenatorLeahy, for your continued work to hold Trump accountable for his use of clemency powers—including to help convicted and accused war criminals.

[Sen. Patrick Leahy @SenatorLeahy]

DOJ finally acknowledged to me that Pres. Trump ONLY used DOJ’s nonpartisan Pardon Attorney to review just 6 out of 22 of his prior pardons/commutations. Congress needs to know if Pres. Trump just disregarded that established, non-partisan process yet again. My letter HERE:

[Gitmo Watch @GitmoWatch]

BREAKING: Jim Harrington, lead counsel for 9/11 defendant Ramzi bin al Shibh, approved to withdrawal as learned counsel. He will remain on case as an advisor until transition position.

[Carol Rosenberg @carolrosenberg]

Good morning from Camp Justice. We expect resumption of the 9/11 hearings this morning for prosecutors to oppose a 75-year-old defense lawyer's request to be released for health and other reasons. The hearings have been on held for a week.
About the case: https://t.co/nYOFPGWAjz

[Gregg Bloche @greggbloche]

From CIA psychologist James Mitchell’s Jan 21 testimony: transcript redacts Q&A that quotes/cites content of Mitchell’s CIA-approved book. Secrecy in service of obfuscation, not national security. ⁦@GitmoWatch⁩ ⁦@glynco⁩ ⁦@julianborger⁩ ⁦@carolrosenberg⁩

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

As we have long known, federal courts are far more effective in prosecuting terrorism cases. Check out this @HumanRights1st material: https://t.co/3rincyj1SV

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

This week at #GTMO underscored the continued dysfunction of military commissions. The 9/11 trial will likely be delayed significantly because of difficulties associated with hiring a new learned counsel for one of the defendants—issues that wouldn't be a problem in federal court.

[Carol Rosenberg @carolrosenberg]

Update: No 9/11 court hearing tomorrow. First possibility is 9 a.m. Tuesday. Also postponed: The Chief Prosecutor’s Presidents Day closed court chambers conference style presentation on logistical preparations for a potential nine-month 9/11 war crimes trial.

[HRF Natl Security @HRFNatlSecurity]

Our @p_stottlemyer spoke at yesterday's @ABAesq discussion on the #Guantanamo military commissions. While the 9/11 military commission has yet to reach the trial phase, U.S. federal courts have successfully prosecuted over 660 terrorism suspects since 9/11 https://t.co/QZRvOlAbUS