William Fisher

William Fisher writes for Inter Press Service.

New York ‘Terror’ Detainee in Draconian Conditions

As the planned closing of the U.S. military’s detention center at Guantánamo Bay draws nearer, human rights activists are raising questions about the treatment of detainees who will be transferred to the U.S. for trial. But while the media has focused virtually all its attention on these foreign prisoners held abroad, the government is already … Continue reading “New York ‘Terror’ Detainee in Draconian Conditions”

CIA Probe Should Go Further, Groups Say

Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision Monday to investigate whether interrogators from the Central Intelligence Agency or its contractors violated any federal laws in applying "enhanced interrogation techniques" to detainees in U.S. custody overseas triggered immediate criticism from human rights advocates and appeared to widen the partisan divide between Republicans and Democrats. As Holder released a … Continue reading “CIA Probe Should Go Further, Groups Say”

Court Reins in Terror Finance Policy

A federal court this week ruled for the first time that the U.S. government cannot freeze an organization’s assets under a terror financing law without a warrant based upon probable cause and without telling the organization the basis for its action and a meaningful opportunity to defend itself. If the decision of U.S. District Judge … Continue reading “Court Reins in Terror Finance Policy”

Rights Groups Appeal For UN Investigation of Rendition

Charging that the U.S. government was complicit in the forced disappearance of an influential Muslim scholar four years ago, human rights groups in the U.S., the U.K., and Switzerland have asked the U.N. to investigate. In a letter to the U.N., the organizations say Mustafa Setmariam Nassar, a Spanish citizen, was arrested by Pakistani officials … Continue reading “Rights Groups Appeal For UN Investigation of Rendition”

Judge Slams Govt Over Afghan Detainee

A federal judge last week excoriated U.S. government lawyers for advocating the continued detention of a detainee at Guantanamo Bay after his "confession" was ruled inadmissible because it was extracted through torture. Calling the case "an outrage," U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle urged the lawyers to "let him out. Send him back to Afghanistan." … Continue reading “Judge Slams Govt Over Afghan Detainee”

UN Asked to Probe CIA Rendition

Human rights groups are asking United Nations officials to investigate the case of an Italian citizen and victim of the "extraordinary rendition" program of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency who is currently being held in a Moroccan prison based on a confession coerced from him through torture. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Geneva-based … Continue reading “UN Asked to Probe CIA Rendition”

Bagram Detainees Treated ‘Worse Than Animals’

An investigation by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has revealed that former detainees at the U.S. Bagram airbase in Afghanistan were beaten, deprived of sleep and threatened with dogs. The BBC’s conclusions are based on interviews with 27 former detainees who were held at Bagram between 2002 and 2006. None of these men were ever … Continue reading “Bagram Detainees Treated ‘Worse Than Animals’”

Pelosi-CIA Contretemps May Spark Wider Probe

Congressional Democrats and many Washington journalists are predicting that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s current dispute with the Central Intelligence Agency may ultimately hasten the push toward the last thing Republicans want – a comprehensive investigation of prisoner detention and interrogation during the administration of former President George W. Bush. The Pelosi controversy centers on whether … Continue reading “Pelosi-CIA Contretemps May Spark Wider Probe”