Post-9/11 Detentions: the Lawsuit

In the wake of September 11, 2001, the government engaged in an aggressive roundup of Muslim and Arab men — many were detained for long periods of time, and although none were charged with acts of terrorism, many were deported on immigration grounds (visa overstays and the like). Now, some of the men have returned to challenge their treatment in detention. The alleged violations include unlawful eavesdropping on attorney-client conversations, beatings and sexual humiliation, some of which has apparently been recorded on tape. The plaintiffs in the suit are in the US, but are being kept under tight watch, and are confined to their hotel room during the course of the suit.

The linkto Nina Bernstein’s stort for the NYTimes is here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/23/nyregion/23detain.html?pagewanted=2

-jmc