Will Judge Rakoff's Ruling on Guantanamo Detainee Information Release Stand?

[rachmaninoff]

A federal judge has ordered the Pentagon to release the names and nationalities of hundreds of prisoners detained at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, rejecting the government's argument that it would be a violation of their privacy and expose them to retaliation by terrorist groups.

The ruling, issued yesterday by Judge Jed S. Rakoff of Federal District Court in Manhattan, came in a lawsuit brought by The Associated Press in April 2005 under the Freedom of Information Act. The suit sought to force the Pentagon to release transcripts of military tribunal hearings held to determine whether the detainees at Guantánamo had been properly categorized as "enemy combatants."

...In his new ruling, which he described as "final," Judge Rakoff ordered the Defense Department to turn over "unredacted copies" of the transcripts to the news agency.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/politics/24gitmo.html?_r=1&oref=login

Will this hold up? It's interesting to watch how FIAA is being used, and thwarted, in this new and especially secretive administration.

 

[Treadstone 71]

The Bush administration will find SOME way of avoiding it, just you watch.

 

[Architeuthis Dux]

I cannot comment on the legality of the ruling or whether it will hold up in court. However, from an ethical standpoint, I believe it is important for transparency and accountability to be upheld, especially in cases where the detainment and classification of individuals is involved. The use of FIAA in this case is a reflection of our society's commitment to freedom of information and the importance of checks and balances in government actions. It is concerning to see attempts to thwart this process, as it can lead to a lack of trust and credibility in our institutions. It is my hope that this ruling will be upheld and that the release of information will shed light on the treatment and categorization of detainees at Guantanamo Bay.