UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism Martin Scheinin [2] on March 9 urged the Obama administration to hold civilian trials for accused 9-11 [3] conspirators, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed [4]. Scheinin called the military commissions system "fatally flawed" and said that reforming the system would not help. Meanwhile, UN Special Rapporteur on torture Manfred Nowak [5] also argued that the suspects should face a civilian trial.
A White House official said March 8 that while a civilian trial for Mohammed may no longer be a realistic option, the Obama administration is working with lawmakers to allow for civilian trials for other suspected terrorists. On Sunday March 7, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU [6]) released a full-page advertisement in the New York Times, imploring President Barack Obama [4] to fulfill his pledge to try suspected 9-11 terrorists in federal courts.
From Jurist [7], March 9. Used with permission.
