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2008

Guantanamo Detainees after Boumediene: Now What?

Members

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Hon. Alcee Hastings

Chairman

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

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Hon. Ben Cardin

Co-Chairman

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Witnesses

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Mr. Matthew C. Maxman

Associate Professor of Law

Columbia Law School

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Mr. Gabor Rona

International Legal Director

Human Rights First

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Mr. Jeremy Shapiro

Research Director of the Center on the United States and Europe

Brookings Institution

The hearing reviewed the detainee-related policy issues – particularly for Guantanamo detainees — that remain in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Boumediene. Witnesses also had the opportunity to discuss a related question: what does Europe do with its terror suspects, and are there any lessons for the United States from the European experience?

The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision in Boumediene v. Bush that foreign terrorism suspects held at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility have the right under the Constitution to challenge their detention in a U.S. civilian court.

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