The Law & Security program defends freedom – freedom that derives from a robust national security that complies with our values, our Constitution and international law.  Our priorities:

Prosecuting Terrorism

Federal courts delegitimize would-be terrorists by treating them as criminals, not warriors. Federal courts also legitimize America as a country of laws. Federal courts have convicted 400 terrorists since 9/11.  Military commissions have convicted only 6. Federal courts have nearly 225 years of experience, with precedent to guide them. Military commissions are new, and many of the rules remain constitutionally defective.    Read more»

Torture and Accountability

Torture is illegal, immoral and counterproductive. Human Rights First helped secure the Executive Order rescinding the Bush torture memos and establish a single standard of humane treatment and interrogation. HRF continues to press for accountability of those who engaged in or condoned torture, as well as remedies for those who faced torture. HRF remains vigilant as opponents continue to press for reinstituting the so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques” that were tantamount to torture.    Read more»

Guantanamo

Guantanamo remains a powerful recruiting poster for terrorists. It must be closed. Human Rights First has attended every military commission hearing since their inception, providing testament to a system that is rife with constitutional defects.  HRF actively opposes legislation in Congress that would thwart the closure of Guantanamo.   Read more»

Afghanistan

Since our report Fixing Bagram in 2009, the U.S. has agreed to turn over detention operations to Afghan authorities. Human Rights First continues to monitor detention practices and policies closely, traveling to Afghanistan in 2011 and issuing the report Detained and Denied in Afghanistan in 2011. This report details that, even though conditions have improved since 2009, the detention system in Afghanistan continues to fall short of the standards of international law.   Read more»

Private Military Contractors

Private security contractors have fallen through the cracks of oversight and accountability.  Human Rights First is advocating for greater jurisdictional oversight through the Civilian Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, through an international multi-stakeholder code of conduct, and targeted litigation support.    Read more»