IJNetwork Press Release (html)

Bates Memorandum Opinion Re: Dismissing Wazir Petition (pdf)

June 29, 2009, New York, NY— The International Justice Network (IJNetwork), the organization representing detainees held by the United States government without charge at Bagram Prison in Afghanistan, called on the Obama Administration today to end the indefinite detention without trial of Afghan civilians held in US custody. Earlier today, Judge John D. Bates of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, issued a ruling dismissing the petition of an Afghan civilian held at Bagram without charge for more than 6 years.

In April 2009, Judge Bates had ruled that three other IJNetwork clients detained without charge at Bagram -- two Yemenis and one Tunisian citizen -- had the right to petition US courts for their release. In distinguishing yesterday's decision, Judge Bates reasoned that because the petitioner was a citizen of Afghanistan, rather than a Yemeni or Tunisian citizen held at Bagram, he had no right to petition the US courts for his release.

IJNetwork Press Release (html)  

(43) Order Certifying Interlocutory Appeal (pdf)

June 2, 2009, Washington, DC— The International Justice Network (IJNetwork), the organization representing men detained without charge by the US Government at Bagram Prison in Afghanistan, today expressed disappointment with a court decision Monday to put on hold the cases of three men rendered to Bagram by the US Government seven years ago. A copy of the opinion by Judge John D. Bates of the US District Court for the District of Columbia is attached.

IJNetwork Press Release (html)

Obama Administration Corrected Motion for Appeal (pdf)

Statement of Tina Monshipour Foster, Executive Director of IJNetwork, in response to the Obama Administation's decision to appeal last week's ruling by a federal court judge that several detainees held in the U.S. Air Base in Bagram, Afghanistan have the right to challenge the legality of their detention in U.S. courts:

The Justice Department's announcement today that it intends to ignore the court's ruling and continue the Bush administration's  policy of denying any semblance of due process to civilians held in U.S. custody for more than 6 years represents a particularly dark day in American history.  Last January, we watched in awe as President Obama was sworn in with a solemn promise to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and to recommit our nation to the rule of law and the international obligations that the prior administration had willfully disregarded.

On March 12, 2009, students and faculty who were moved by Jawed "JoJo" Ahmad's journey attended a vigil in celebration of his life.  Geoffrey King photographed the vigil. (photo album )