News Archive

Dean Andrew R. Klein (in the photo at right) of the Indiana University McKinney School of Law traveled to Ft. Meade, Maryland, to observe war crimes hearings broadcast live from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Dean Klein was an official non-governmental organization (NGO) observer, sponsored by IU McKinney’s Military Commission Observation Project (MCOP), which was founded by Professor George Edwards (in the photo at left), who joined Dean Klein on this observation mission.

The Pentagon granted the IU McKinney project permission to send IU McKinney Affiliates -- students, faculty, staff, and graduates -- to Guantanamo Bay to view proceedings live and to Ft. Meade to view via secure video feed. Dean Klein is the most recent of the dozens from the IU McKinney family selected for observation missions, during which they attend, observe, analyze, critique and report on these hearings.

The pre-trial hearings Dean Klein and Professor Edwards were slated to observe were scheduled for July 18-22, and are in the criminal case against five alleged masterminds of and participants in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. They include Khalid Shaik Mohammad, who is the alleged chief architect of the 9/11 attacks, along with four others. Their charges include murder in violation of the laws of war and hijacking.

When Dean Klein and Professor Edwards arrived at the viewing center, it was confirmed that the military judge presiding over the 9/11 case had decided that the hearings would be closed, meaning that NGOs observers were not permitted to witness the proceedings.

Professor Edwards said “If the hearings had been open, Dean Klein and I would not have been able to tour facilities that would have been unavailable during an open session, and we would not have been able to talk with people who would have been otherwise engaged during an open hearing. Our behind-the-scenes experience at Ft. Meade was enlightening, and would not have been possible had we been watching video feed from Guantanamo that day”.

Dean Klein summarized his Ft. Meade experience, and his recognition of Professor Edwards and his Guantanamo Bay work: “Although I was disappointed that I could not observe a hearing today, I am glad that I made the trip, and I am proud that the McKinney School of Law and our Military Commission Observation Project provides this very special opportunity to members of our community.”

Professor Edwards noted that “every IU McKinney affiliate – faculty, staff, student, graduate -- is invited to register for the possibility of undertaking an observer mission to Ft. Meade, or to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, itself.  Details about this process can be found on the IU McKinney website. We hope that our affiliates may also be able to observe Periodic Review Boards at the Pentagon, and we will post notices if Pentagon observation opportunities become available to assist out Periodic Review Board Project.”