HRF Testifies Before Congress: Try Terrorism Suspects in Time-Tested Federal Courts

This morning, Human Rights First CEO and Executive Director, Elisa Massimino, will be testifying before the Senate Judiciary’s Subcommittee on the Constitution in a hearing on “Restoring the Rule of Law.” The hearing is set to start at 10:15 a.m. and will be broadcast live through the committee’s website. In her testimony, Elisa will provide specific steps for ending the failed experiment at Guantanamo by closing the facility and moving legitimate terrorism cases to the federal court system. The recommendations can be found in HRF’s blueprint for the next administration, “How to Close Guantanamo.” HRF bases its recommendations on the federal system’s successful record in prosecuting more than 100 terrorism cases since September 11, a stark contrast to the military commission system at Guantanamo where only one trial has been completed in more than six years. Restoring the rule of law during the next presidential administration will require a return to our respected, tested, and constitutionally safeguarded federal court system.