Freed Gitmo prisoner sues U.S. for unlawful detention

[sabra]

Source: CNN

SLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) — Saad Muhammad Iqbal is a free man after
serving more than six years at the U.S. military’s detention facility in
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba — without any charge.

Now, Iqbal is suing the U.S. government for unlawful detention.

“I am angry in my heart,” Iqbal said in a recent interview. “It’s easy
for the U.S. government to say, ‘There are no charges found and he’s free.’
“But who will be responsible for seven years of my life?”

His attorney in Washington, D.C., is suing the U.S. government, on behalf
of Iqbal, through the federal court system.

Read more: http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/22/freed-gitmo-prisoner-sues-us-for-unlawful-detention/

[apnu]

1. First of many to come I suspect.

And frankly, we, the United States of America, deserve it. I'd love it if they doc Bushco's pensions (all who get them) for the damages. I'd love that.

[tekisui]

2. We must make it right.

[chill_wind]

19. Yes.

[catgirl]

3. 5th Rec

[Soylent Brice]

4. and justice begins anew.

[MinneapolisMatt]

5. He should sue BUSH too.

.

[nc4bo]

20. Yes. nt

[baldguy]

23. Can't : 1988 Westfall Act

from 2006:

Ex-Detainees Seek to Sue U.S. Officials
...
The central claim by Rumsfeld and other officials is that the plaintiffs have no rights under the Constitution and that the Military Commissions Act, signed into law in October, bars court review of any pending cases involving detention. They also argue that under the 1988 Westfall Act, which amended federal tort law, the officials are protected from personal liability because the actions that are alleged occurred within the scope of their employment.
...
more
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/07/AR2006120701979.html

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. Good for him. Sadly, there is nothing we can really do that would meaningfully...

restore those seven years of his life. Perhaps some day he will have the satisfaction of seeing Bush in chains at the Hague. Okay, I am not holding my breath, but I will continue to advocate for that outcome as long as I live.

[bdamomma]

7. there will be many more to come.

justice will be done.

[Poll_Blind]

8. I believe these lawsuits should go directly to Dickwad Bush.

And let them rain down like mana.

PB

[paparush]

9. Can we just give him a bank..maybe Merril Lynch?

[hamsterjill]

10. That's exactly right.

It will take generations to erase the stench of what Bush has done.

[thereismore]

11. That's the way to go. Not violence. This guy is showing he is better than his captors. nt

[gratuitous]

12. I hope it goes all the way to trial

Discovery, depositions, the whole nine yards needs a full and complete airing, especially in an arena where both sides have a chance to elucidate the details and interpret the evidence, instead of just relying on the perpetrators to explain why their monstrous crimes weren't so bad.

[efhmc]

13. Finally, a chance to use the judicial system. I hope he WINS!!!

[Baby Snooks]

14. The sad thing...

The sad thing is the Obama administration will have to defend the government.

[Broadslidin]

15. Coming Soon: "U.S.A. Becomes a Member of the International Court of Justice in The Hague"...!

As the ice cream cowboy "W" feverishly begins digging,
yet another, even deeper Hidey Hole
'out there' someplace in dusty West Texas.

[Baby Snooks]

18. Actually it needs to become part of the International Criminal Court

The United States is technically still a signatory to the International Court of Justice but not a signatory to the International Criminal Court.

I am not sure if our becoming a signatory would be retroactive but it certainly would be nice if it were. The problem is if Iraq were to become a signatory and file the complaint it most likely would not restrict itself to one administration and it is possible that the complaint would include the sanctions period and that would involve Bill Clinton and in particular make note of Madeline Albright's infamous comment that the deaths of 500,000 Iraqi children were worth it.

I suspect it will be a long time before we become a signatory to the International Criminal Court.

The Security Council can refer a matter but of course it is doubtful Obama would agree to such a referral. So if another member of the Security Council proposed it, the United States would veto it.

I would like to think we would hold them accountable ourselves but of course we won't. Just the reality.

[dixiegrrrrl]

21. Time to send an e-mail to White House.gov. then,

Respectfully requesting we become a signatory to the International Criminal Court.

Anyone else wanna send one?

[Baby Snooks]

22. The problem is Iraq...

Iraq would have to file the complaint and they are not a signatory. And I doubt they will become one. It doesn't serve them well either if the Shi'ites decide to wipe out the Sunnis or the Sunnis decide to wipe out the Kurds and the Shi'ites. The Shi'ites might agree to becoming a signatory. And be opposed by the Sunnis. Or vice versa. Ah, life with Saddam Hussein. Who oppressed the people and strangely kept civil order and kept the lights on and the water running. He got rid of the people trying to wipe out the other people. Those were the people he oppressed. The facts we don't want to know. The fact is we are kiling the people Saddam Hussein killed. The problem is we are and have been killing quite a few innocent Iraqis as well. Because, as Madeline Albright put it, it's worth it. Just to be rid of Saddam Hussein. Just to please Daddy Bush. What Baby Bush really meant to say is "that man tried to steal my Daddy's oil." It's a war for oil in case you don't realize it. Always has been. Then and now. The Bushes and their OILgarchy.

So that leaves the Security Council. I doubt the United States will propose having itself tried for war crimes.

[mt13]

16. as it should be...

bushco has dealt these people such an injustice, it is only right that they get something.

[lib2DaBone]

17. I hope he sends the legal bills to C/O G. Bush, Dallas, Tx.