BBC (Sept 1): US remodels Guantanamo hearings

[Jack Rabbit]

From the BBC Online
Dated Thursday September 1

US remodels Guantanamo hearings
By Daniela Relph
BBC News, Washington

The military authorities in the United States have announced changes to the military commission that will try detainees at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

The structure of the trials will now be similar to a traditional US court room, with a presiding officer effectively acting as a judge.

The accused will be present at the hearing, except when classified information is discussed.

But human rights organisations remained critical of the new tribunal set-up.

Read more.

[Sparkman]

1. U.S. military....one trick pony.

[Eugene]

2. This is a change in format, not substance.

Critics point out that the court will still admit
evidence obtained through torture and the trials
have no independent judicial review.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. I agree

The jury doesn't sound terribly impartial and the rules are stacked against the defendant with no right of appeal.

It's still a kangaroo court and still, IMHO, a violation of both the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions.