US tells Guantanamo prisoners of court rights

1.00pm - By WILL DUNHAM

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon notified Guantanamo prisoners on Monday they have the right to go to court to challenge their detention and will face a military hearing on their "enemy combatant" status, officials said.

The government began distributing a document to the 594 men held at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba which tells them that they can contest their status as enemy combatants before newly formed military tribunals.

Navy Secretary Gordon England, who oversees the process, has said those deemed not to be enemy combatants will be released, but the one-page document being given to the prisoners does not say that.

Most Guantanamo prisoners have been held for more than two years without charges or access to lawyers. Most were captured in Afghanistan.

An English-language version of the document released by the Pentagon says that the tribunals, which begin hearings in about two weeks, are "not a criminal trial" but "will determine whether you are properly held."

Officials said the notification was given to the prisoners in their own language, or was read to illiterate prisoners.

The notifications, which officials said began on Monday and will run through Thursday, came two weeks after the Supreme Court ruled prisoners in Guantanamo can contest their detention in US courts.

"You will be notified in the near future what procedures are available should you seek to challenge your detention in US courts," the document stated.

The document does not specify how a prisoner at the remote base would be able to hire or meet with a lawyer for such a court challenge. Cmdr Beci Brenton, a spokeswoman for England, said such procedures were "still being worked out."

The document also tells that prisoners a US military officer will help them present their case, and a translator will be available.

It said that prisoners can present witnesses who are "reasonably available," and prisoners will be excluded from the hearings when matters are presented that could compromise US national security.

- REUTERS