Military Commissions in Guantanamo Resolution (2002)

Short Name: Military Commissions in Guantanamo Resolutions
Year Adopted: 2002
Meeting Where Adopted: Mid-Year
Policy Number: 2002 MY 8C
Subjects: Death Penalty, Military, Guantanamo, Post-Conviction/Habeas Corpus

Resolution Text:

RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges that, with respect to the November 13, 2001, Military Order Regarding "Detention, Treatment, and Trial of Certain Non-Citizens in the War Against Terrorism," or any similar military order that is issued, the President and Congress should assure that the law and regulations governing any tribunal will:

1. Not be applicable to United States citizens, lawful resident aliens, and other persons lawfully present in the United States;
2. Not be applicable to persons apprehended or to be tried in the United States, except for persons subject to the settled and traditional law of war who engage in conduct alleged to be in violation of such law of war;
3. Not be applicable to cases in which violations of federal, state or territorial laws, as opposed to violations of such law of war, are alleged;
4. Not permit indefinite pretrial detention of persons subject to the order;
5. Require that its procedures for trials and appeals be governed hy the Uniform Code of Military Justice except Article 32 and provide the rights afforded in courts-martial thereunder, including, but not limited to, provision for certiorari review by the Supreme Court of the United States (in addition to the right to petition for a writ of habeas corpus), the presumption of innocence, proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and unanimous verdicts in capital cases; and
6. Require compliance with Articles 14 and 15(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including, but not limited to, provisions regarding prompt notice of charges, representation by counsel of choice, adequate time and facilities to prepare the defense, confrontation and examination of witnesses, assistance of an interpreter, the privilege against self-incrimination, the prohibition of ex post facto application of law, and an independent and impartial tribunal, with the proceedings open to the public and press or, when proceedings may be validly closed to the public and press, trial observers, if available, who have appropriate security clearances.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges the Executive and Legislative branches, in establishing and implementing procedures and selecting venues for trial by military tribunals, to give full consideration to the impact of its choices as precedents in (a) the prosecution of U.S. citizens in other nations and (b) the use of international legal norms in shaping other nations' responses to future acts of terrorism.

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