Breaking news

In a victory for human rights and the rule of law, a federal judge has just ruled the Guantanamo military tribunals illegal.

In today's decision, Green said the hearings, called Combatant Status Review Tribunals, are stacked against the detainees, and deny them crucial rights. She said some detainees may indeed be guilty and pose a danger to the United States, but the government must first give them a lawful hearing on the evidence against them.
. . .
Green also criticized the military for using an illogically broad definition of "enemy combatant" in deciding to hold Muslim men from dozens of countries for as long as three years. She said after reviewing classified material for the detainees, she saw many cases in which the military presented no evidence that individuals were ever engaged in actual combat or terrorist crimes.

This isn't the end of the story, as there have been conflicting rulings in a number of related cases, so expect to see the Supremes weighing in, whether or not they'd like to get involved.

(via Suburban Guerilla)