USA: David Hicks pleads guilty on one count: AI observer attends arraignment at Guant�namo

USA: David Hicks pleads guilty on one count: AI observer attends arraignment at Guant�namo

Index Number: AMR 51/052/2007
Date Published: 27 March 2007
Categories: USA, Americas

On 26 March 2007, Australian national David Hicks pleaded guilty to one specification under the charge of "providing material support for terrorism". He pleaded not guilty to a second specification. The proceedings do not bode well for the 60 to 80 people that the government claims it will prosecute under the military commission system. The proceedings reaffirm the need to close the Guant�namo detention camp as a matter of urgency. Jumana Musa observed David Hicks' arraignment for Amnesty International. She is a lawyer and a staff member of Amnesty International's US section.