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The Case Against Secretary Rumsfeld  On March 1, 2005, Human Rights First, together with the American Civil Liberties Union, retired military leaders, and the law firm of Lieff Cabraser Heimann and Bernstein, LLP., filed a lawsuit against U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on behalf of Iraqi and Afghan civilians who were tortured and abused while in U.S. custody.
UPDATES On March 27, 2006, Judge Thomas Hogan dismissed a case brought by nine Iraqi and Afghan former detainees for the torture they suffered in U.S. military custody against former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. District Court Decision Granting Motion to Dismiss (PDF 4MB) Court to Hear Arguments in Case Against Rumsfeld Press Release Human Rights First and ACLU file supplemental brief on Military Commissions Act 12/05/06 Secretary Rumsfeld Continues to Argue Against Responsibility for Torture and Abuse Secretary Rumsfeld Attempts to Shirk Responsibility for U.S. Torture Policies 05/25/06 Secretary Rumsfeld’s Court Filing Argues Immunity for Responsibility from Torture and Abuse Human Rights First and ACLU File Amended Complaint in Suit Against Defense Secretary Rumsfeld Over U.S. Torture Policies  Defending American Values in Court – Torture Victims Visit United States Seeking Accountability and Justice In November 2005, Human Rights First and the American Civil Liberties Union welcomed to the United States two of their clients who have brought a civil action against Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other senior members of the military seeking accountability for the torture and abuse they and other detainees suffered in U.S. detention facilities overseas. Their suit seeks, among other things, a federal court order declaring unlawful U.S. policies and practices permitting torture and other forms of abuse. Read the original press release on the lawsuit ARABIC VERSION (PDF 157KB) (03/01/05) 
Against Rumsfeld 
Our Statements 
“This lawsuit presents the opportunity to make clear that the United States is still committed to the rule of law, and that every American, no matter how high-ranking, is bound to comply with those rules.”
– Michael Posner Read Statement of Michael Posner, HRF Executive Director, on the lawsuit 
“In dealing with detainees, the attitude at the top was that they are all just terrorists, beneath contempt and outside the law so they could be treated inhumanely. Our effort to gain information vitiated 200 years of history. International obligations didn’t matter, nor did morality or humanity. That attitude dropped like a rock down the chain of command, and we had Abu Ghraib and its progeny.”
– Rear Admiral John Hutson (Ret. USN), of counsel to Human Rights First Read Retired Rear Admiral John Hutson’s statement 
“Mr. Rumsfeld has made clear that he does not intend to accept responsibility for the patterns of misconduct emerging in the wake of his policy decisions. We feel the honor of our military is at stake. We owe it to those who still wear the uniform and continue to serve their country honorably to bring this suit. Mr. Rumsfeld's policies have stained our military's record for adherence to the rule of law and observance of human rights. We want to remove that stain.”
– Brig. Gen. James Cullen (Ret. USA), of counsel to Human Rights First Read Retired Brig. Gen. James Cullen’s statement The Case The legal basis for the case (PDF 39KB) District Court Decision Granting Motion to Dismiss (PDF 4MB)  Timeline
The Clients
Contact an Attorney: If you or your family member was subjected to abuse in Iraq or Afghanistan click here to contact an attorney. |
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Lawsuit UpdatesSign up to receive periodic email updates on the lawsuit against Secretary Rumsfeld. |
