| A lawsuit was filed by a human-rights lawyers' group | | | | for more than three years. They were mainly swept |
| seeking to release the more than 500 unnamed | | | | up in the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan. |
| terror suspects held captive by the U.S. Government | | | | "The vast majority of the detainees of Guantanamo |
| in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. | | | | have not been able to communicate with loved ones |
| February 16, 2005- A lawsuit was filed by a | | | | who have the ability to contact lawyers in the U.S.," |
| human-rights lawyers' group seeking to release the | | | | said the legal counsel. |
| more than 500 unnamed terror suspects held captive | | | | On the other hand, the government states that the |
| by the U.S. Government in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. | | | | detainees were "dangerous enemy combatants" who |
| The suit filed for the release of the detainees on the | | | | are not entitled to the same constitutional |
| premise that they are being "improperly held". The | | | | protections as Americans because they are |
| filed case by the New York-based Center for | | | | foreigners. |
| Constitutional Rights joins the list of more than 70 | | | | Just recently, two district court judges have issued |
| cases already pending in the U.S. District Court for | | | | different rulings regarding the rights of detainees to |
| the District of Columbia. The others were filed by | | | | challenge their detention in federal court. The rulings |
| family members of other detainees. | | | | however were conflicting on the legal basis for the |
| In a one-page order, a U.S. District judge granted | | | | detainees' rights. The issue is being appealed in the |
| lawyers permission to file the suit, citing that the | | | | U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia |
| petition is allowed to proceed under the fictitious | | | | Circuit. |
| names of "John Does". | | | | The legal director from the Center said this regarding |
| According to the legal director of the Center for | | | | the suit for the detainees, "For all those who remain |
| Constitutional Rights, foreigners from 40 different | | | | unrepresented, today's lawsuit is a giant step |
| countries have been held in Cuba without being | | | | forward. |
| charged with any crime. Some were even detained | | | | |