Aug 24, 2006
DePaul’s International Human Rights Law Institute to Address Torture and the Military at Aug. 29 Program
The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld repudiated the Bush administration’s plan to put Guantánamo Bay detainees on trial before military commissions and also held that a provision of the Geneva Conventions mandating humane treatment of captured combatants applied to Guantánamo Bay detainees. The decision focused attention on the issue of captives in the “War on Terror” and further intensified criticism of the treatment and abuse of detainees at Guantánamo Bay and other military detention facilities. The International Human Rights Law Institute(IHRLI) at DePaul University will explore issues raised by these decisions and America’s treatment of military detainees from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 29 at the DePaul University Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8005. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required.
The program, “Torture and the Military,” will address critical concerns including how the court’s findings will impact the ongoing handling of the prisoners; its effect on America’s long-term strategy in the war on terror; and whether the controversy over prisoner treatment will permanently damage the nation’s global reputation as a country respectful of human rights and the rule of law. Alberto Coll, a professor of Law at DePaul will moderate the discussion and M. Cherif Bassiouni, president of IHRLI will provide opening remarks. Panelists will include:
Rear Admiral John Huston (Ret.), president and dean of the Franklin Pierce Law Center
Major General William Nash (Ret.), director of the Center for Preventative Action for the Council on Foreign Relations
Brigadier General Charles Tucker, chief of staff and co-director of the United States Air Force/Air National Guard International Humanitarian Law Program
Major Sean Watts, professor of international law, international & operational law department, Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School
For reservations call 312/362-5919 or send an E-mail to ihrli@depaul.edu. Reporters wishing to cover the event should contact Valerie Phillips, DePaul Media Relations, at 312/362-5039 or vphillip@depaul.edu.