Issues	|	About Us	|	Contribute	|	Media Room	|	Contact Us

Campaign Unavailable

The Defense Department has now designated six detainees at the Guantanamo Naval Base for trial before military commissions, which may begin as early as August.  Although the Administration has pledged that these historic trials should be "open to the maximum extent practicable" subject to national security needs, holding them at Guantanamo Bay makes it impossible for the public to observe them first hand.

Broadcast coverage of the trials would help fill this gap.  There is ample precedent for TV or radio coverage of historic criminal trials, such as the Nuremberg trials of Nazi war criminals after World War Two.  Opening trials to the public serves an important educational role, and can provide clarity and help the healing process for victims and their families.  Televising these military commission proceedings could also enhance their perceived legitimacy by demonstrating the Administration's confidence in their fundamental fairness.

Modern technology enables these objectives to be realized without risking disruption of the legal proceedings, while also safeguarding legitimate national security interests and protecting the identity of certain witnesses.  The Defense Department has already announced that there will be a camera in the courtroom for closed-circuit transmission to reporters, so allowing public broadcasts would also involve no additional physical intrusion.

Human Rights First will continue to work for public access to the upcoming military commission trials at Guantanamo Bay.  Please write to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to urge that the trials be televised.