Guantanamo Bay: Who Are the Detainees & Why Does the U.S. Continue to Hold

[paineinthearse]

by email

Ford Hall Forum's Free Lecture and Discussion Series
presents:

Guantanamo Bay: Who Are the Detainees and
Why Does the U.S. Continue to Hold Them?

panelists include:
Thomas B. Wilner, P. Sabin Willett,
and Gita Gutierrez;
moderated by Joshua Rubenstein

Thursday, March 30, at 6:30 pm
at
Faneuil Hall



Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States government has held hundreds of men at Guantanamo Bay as part of its "global war on terrorism." Some see the methods employed there as necessary to protect ourselves against new and horrifying threats to national security. However, the secrecy and questions about the legality of the imprisonments have drawn concern from lawmakers, foreign governments and human rights groups. They claim that such measures violate the Geneva Conventions, inspire anti-Americanism, and infringe upon the very foundations of our civil rights. In a program co-sponsored by Amnesty International USA, three lawyers currently defending prisoners in Guantanamo Bay talk about who the detainees are and why the United States continues to hold them.

Thomas B. Wilner, Partner at Shearman & Sterling LLP and lead counsel to the Kuwaiti citizens in Supreme Court case Rasul v. Bush; P. Sabin Willett, Partner at Bingham McCutchen and legal counsel to several Ulghur detainees; Gita Gutierrez, civil rights attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, conducted the first visit by a habeas attorney to Guantanamo. Moderated by Joshua Rubenstein, Northeast Regional Director, Amnesty International USA.

The Ford Hall Forum is the nation’s oldest free public lecture series. Since 1908, the Forum has provided a non-partisan platform to honor free speech, foster civic dialogue and enrich public education. Recognizing democracy depends on a citizenry informed about issues and with opportunities to consider different perspectives, the Ford Hall Forum is committed to providing free access to interactive programs that examine the world in which we live. Programs of the Ford Hall Forum are made possible through contributions from individual members as well as corporations and foundations, including the Boston Foundation, the Lincoln and Therese Filene Foundation, Houghton Chemical Corporation, Levine Katz Nannis + Solomon P.C., The Lowell Institute, The Millipore Foundation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, and Northeastern University. For more information log onto www.fordhallforum.org or contact Alex Minier, 617-373-5800, [e-mail].