ADC Asks DHS to Grant Abu Ghraib Victims Access to the US

ADC Asks DHS to Grant Abu Ghraib Victims Access to the US

Today the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) requested that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) permit three Iraqi nationals entry into the United States. The three individuals, all of whom were tortured at Abu Ghraib, were to arrive to the United States to testify to the atrocities they suffered at Abu Ghraib. The three individuals are plaintiffs in a lawsuit against CACI Premier Technology, Inc., a contracting firm which is alleged to have tortured the victims.

The plaintiffs are represented by ADC Michigan Advisory Board Member, Attorney Shereef Akeel of the law firm Akeel & Valentine.

Despite being granted valid visas, the plaintiffs were not permitted to board a flight to the US on March 15, 2013. As a result of the circumstances, the defendant has filed multiple motions, moving for dismissal of the pending case, and sanctions against the individuals. In a letter to Secretary Napolitano, ADC expressed, “American law allows for the doors of our federal courts to be opened to Aliens to come to America to seek legal redress against those who committed crimes against humanity. The plaintiffs have the right to bring this action, and provide their testimony. Preventing the plaintiffs from exercising this right, by barring them from flying to the US, would be adverse to American law, and public policy.”

The case, Suhail Najim Abdullah Al Shmari et. al., v. CACI International Inc., et. al. (Case Number 08-cv-0827 GBL-JFA), is on docket at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division. Multiple hearings are scheduled for Friday May 10, 2013. The plaintiffs are represented by ADC Michigan Advisory Board Member, Attorney Shereef Akeel of the law firm Akeel & Valentine.

ADC requests that the torture victims be given the right to come to the United States and seek accountability for the atrocities that happened in Abu Ghraib. The victims should have their day in court and be permitted to testify against those that are allegedly responsible for the atrocities.

ENDS

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