New Hamdan ruling: Another step backwards for human rights

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge James Robertson ruled that foreign prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay do not have the right of habeas corpus. So, if you're not a legal resident of citizen of the U.S., a bounty hunter (or George Bush) could point a finger at you and arbitrarily label you a threat to national security, toss you into a cage at Gitmo, and throw away the key. And there's nothing you can do about it. Even if you're actually innocent.

How is this fair or just?

In response, Larry Cox, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, issued the following statement:

"Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the recent federal court ruling dismissing the habeas corpus case of Salim Ahmed Hamdan based on a provision from the recently passed Military Commissions Act. The right to challenge one's detention before an independent court is one of the most fundamental protections against human rights abuses, including torture and arbitrary and indefinite detention. Judge Robertson has joined Congress and the administration in putting the United States squarely on the wrong side of international law.

"Although the administration may view this decision as a vindication of its ill-advised policies, human rights cannot simply be abrogated by a questionable land-leasing deal. This ruling in no way validates the detention regime in Guantanamo, which is in direct contravention of U.S. obligations under international law."