Federal Judge Will Hear Petition on Treatment of Detainees
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Are the al Qaeda and Taliban fighters being held at a U.S. Navy base in Cuba detainees or are they prisoners of war? It is a critical question. And CNN's Barbara Starr says the answer could come from a federal court.</s>BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It is these pictures showing detainees on their knees, shackled and eyes covered, that has sparked an international controversy, forcing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to defend the U.S. against criticisms of inhumane treatment.</s>DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: We know they're not coming from people who are knowledgeable. That's clear, because the treatment has been certainly appropriate.</s>STARR: The Pentagon says the detainees are getting culturally appropriate meals, medical treatment and are allowed to pray. A Muslim cleric will now visit Camp X-Ray. A sign has been posted, showing them which way to turn to Mecca at prayer time. The detainees are classified as unlawful combatants, not officially prisoners of war. The Pentagon says that is because the Taliban and al Qaeda are more terrorists than soldiers. Still, the U.S. legal position is that they are being treated in most instances as if they were POWs under the Geneva Conventions. But critics say the Bush Administration is playing nothing more than a word game.</s>WILLIAM SCHULZ, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: If it walks like a war, talks like a war, sounds like a war, has been called a war by the president and every network in the United States, then there might be reason to believe that those who have been taken into custody as a result of military action are, indeed, prisoners of war.</s>STARR: Amnesty International has expressed concern over the cells in which the detainees are being held, eight by eight chain link fence units which some call cages. Many are waiting to see the results of the current inspection by the International Committee of the Red Cross.</s>MICHAEL NOONE, CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY LAW PROFESSOR: If the Red Cross says that these measures are not appropriate under the circumstances, the U.S. has a major problem, not that a court can intervene, but simply that there will be a general consensus that what the U.S. is doing is wrong.</s>STARR: The detainees now will be interrogated to see what they may know about future terrorist attacks or the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden. After that, they could face a military tribunal, the U.S. criminal court system or deportation back to their countries. Some could be held indefinitely. (on camera): On Tuesday, a federal judge will consider a petition by former Attorney General Ramsey Clark and other civil rights advocates challenging the government and demanding that the detainees be brought before a court to face specific charges. Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.</s>COSTELLO: And that court hearing begins at 11:00 a.m. Eastern and we will bring you all of the results.