Human Rights First's U.S. Law and Security Digest is a weekly report to help keep you up to date about developments in U.S. national security law and policy that have an impact on civil liberties and human rights.

SIXTEEN GUANTANAMO DETAINEES TRANSFERRED TO SAUDI ARABIA
The Department of Defense announced Monday that 16 prisoners from the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba had been transferred to their home country of Saudi Arabia, where they remain in detention. The sixteen detainees included Jumah al-Dossari, who reportedly made over a dozen suicide attempts during his incarceration at Guantanamo. According to the Department of Defense, 80 additional prisoners are eligible for release pending negotiations between the governments of the U.S. and the detainees' native countries. Human Rights First has called on the United States to transfer detainees to their home countries in accordance with its obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law. Six U.S. senators sent a letter to Condoleezza Rice Friday expressing concerns that Guantanamo prisoners would be released to nations where they may face torture. The senators requested disclosure of the State Department's current safeguards preventing the torture of transferred prisoners, as well as the establishment of an independent review process to monitor future transfers. Read more.

CIA OFFICIALS CONTRIBUTED TO EUROPEAN REPORT ON SECRET PRISONS AND RENDITIONS
Swiss Senator Dick Marty stated before members of the European Parliament Tuesday that CIA officials provided crucial information regarding his investigation and report on U.S. secret prisons in Europe. According to the Council of Europe report written by Senator Marty and issued last month, the CIA arranged secret flights through Europe to transport terrorist suspects and cooperated with the governments of Romania and Poland to maintain secret prisons in the two nations from 2003 to 2005. Some members of Parliament on Tuesday called Senator Marty's report unfounded, arguing that he failed to cite any of his sources. Senator Marty refuted such claims, stating that the CIA officials cooperated because they strongly disagreed with then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's practices with regard to finding and holding terrorist suspects. However, in exchange for their assistance, Senator Marty promised CIA officials they would remain anonymous. Read more.

MARINE CLAIMS OFFICERS URGED INCREASED USE OF VIOLENCE IN IRAQ
During the trial of Cpl. Trent D. Thomas, charged with the murder of an Iraqi civilian and with planting a weapon near the body, a fellow Marine testified Saturday that officers ordered them to increase their use of violence. According to testimony from Cpl. Saul H. Lopezromo, the Marines acted tougher and started to beat Iraqis after receiving orders to "crank up the violence level." Cpl. Thomas is the first Marine to appear before a court-martial in connection to the April 2006 deaths of Iraqi civilians in Hamdania. In related news, Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum, a Marine charged with killing two Iraqi girls and several other civilians at Haditha in November 2005, alleged Monday that he believed he acted in accordance with standard Marine procedure. But fellow Marines testified there was no threat and that Tatum was eager to kill people. Tatum is one of three Marines charged with murder in the deaths of 24 civilians at Haditha. The testimony came in a preliminary hearing to determine whether Tatum will face a court-martial. Read more.

NEW ANTI-TERROR LAWS IN THE PHILIPPINES SPARK DEBATE
The Human Security Act of 2007 went into effect on Sunday in the Philippines, sparking controversy over new anti-terror laws and their infringement on civil liberties and privacy rights. In a petition issued Monday groups argued that several provisions violate the country's constitution, including detention of suspects without charge for three days, with extensions permitted during feared and actual terrorist attacks; house arrest without outside communication; and monitoring of phone calls, email and bank accounts. Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona also opposed the Act, calling it "a bludgeon against fundamental rights of individuals and the Filipino people as a whole." In a statement given Tuesday Mr. Guingona urged the Supreme Court to declare the new legislation illegal. Read more.

JULY 24: SCREENING OF "NO END IN SIGHT" AND DISCUSSION OF U.S. POLICY IN IRAQ
The Center for American Progress will sponsor a screening of "No End in Sight" at The Landmark in Los Angeles. The film provides footage of Iraq following the fall of Baghdad in 2003 and includes candid narratives of key events from government officials, civilians, soldiers and analysts. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion that includes the film's writer, director and producer, Charles Ferguson. The event will commence at 7:00 p.m. Space is limited and individuals wishing to attend are required to RSVP. More information.

JULY 27-28: ACS NATIONAL CONVENTION: TOWARD A JUST FUTURE
The American Constitution Society kicks off its fifth annual convention at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. A variety of speeches, panel discussions and book signings are scheduled throughout the two-day event. Hina Shamsi, Deputy Director and Senior Counsel at Human Rights First will be speaking on a discussion panel entitled "Detainee Treatment Under the Military Commissions Act." Those planning to attend may register online. More information.

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