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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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4th July 2003

PRESS RELEASE: IHRC concerns as six ‘terror suspects’ face prospect of military tribunal

IHRC notes the Bush administration’s statement that six ‘terrorist’ suspects including British and Australian citizens, are to be tried by a military tribunal with deep concern.

IHRC Chairman, Massoud Shadjareh said:

“It is horrific to see the antithesis of a just order being enforced by the Bush administration. IHRC, as so many other human rights organisations has already outlined its concerns regarding the military tribunals. In summary the six face secret trial without access to evidence used against them. They may not be able to choose their legal representatives, and there is no requirement for a unanimous decision by the military panel to convict them. At the end of this atrocious process they face possible execution.

“As America celebrates its independence today, it does so at the expense of the liberty and rights of others. The military tribunals, like Camp X-Ray, are more akin to Nazi Germany than a country claiming to fight for freedom.”

IHRC first raised its concerns about the Executive Order on the Detention, Treatment, and Trial of Certain Non-Citizens in the War Against Terrorism issued by President George W. Bush in November 2001, when it issued its briefing:

‘USA – MILITARY TRIBUNALS VIOLATE BASIC RIGHTS’
https://www.ihrc.org.uk/show.php?id=38
(click on link after press release to access briefing)

This briefing outlines the main points of concern and summarises these and the lack of legal precedent for the tribunals.

For more information, please contact the press office on (+44) 20 8902 0888, email info@ihrc.org or (+44) 7958 522 196.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Tel: +44-20-8902-0888
Fax: +44-20-8902-0889
email: info@ihrc.org
web: www.ihrc.org