By Wajid Ali Syed – Washington Correspondent for Asian Tribune
Washington, 16 May, (Asiantribune.com): The Obama administration is expected to revive military-run trials for terror suspects being detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba -- but with new legal protections not provided under the Bush administration.
Senior US officials say the new system will limit the use of hearsay, ban evidence gained through harsh treatment, give defendants more freedom to choose their own counsel, and provide more protections for detainees who refuse to testify.
President Barack Obama, who criticized the Bush-era system as a failure, is expected to ask for a 120-day delay in pending cases while the legal system is adjusted. During his campaign he said, "As President, i will close Guantanamo, reject the Military Commissions Act and adhere to the Geneva Conventions."
He suspended the trials shortly after taking office in January, pending an official review, but he did not rule out restarting them.
Obama's decision is likely to draw fire from civil rights advocates and his Democratic supporters, who are already upset over his decision Wednesday to block the release of more photos depicting detainee abuse in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hands of US troops.
There are 241 detainees being held at the Guantanamo US military prison. They break down into three categories:
Those who could be release; those deemed to be enemy combatants - if released could fight the US again; and those who have committed acts that could be criminally prosecuted.
The last group includes - September 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammad.
Former President George Bush created the military tribunal system to hear cases against "enemy combatants" being held at Guantanamo.
- Asian Tribune -
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