High Court Blocks Guantanamo War Crimes Trials

In a 5-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court today severely limited the government’s power in holding military trials for suspected terrorists currently held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

U.S. Politics Guide Kathy Gill reports that in the case of Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (.pdf), the Court ruled that Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions applies to the Guantanamo detainees, as well as any tribunals applied to them. Article 3 provides that persons detained “shall in all circumstances be treated humanely,” and bans “cruel treatment and torture.”

The Bush Administration has long contended that the Geneva Conventions did not apply to the Guantanamo detainees.

Also See:
Court To Bush: Gitmo Trials Illegal (US Politics)