May 2024
Updated June 25, 2024
Peaceful Tomorrows was founded by family members of those killed on 9/11 who committed to seeking nonviolent responses to the deaths of our loved ones. Among our original goals was to “bring those responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks to justice in accordance with the principles of international law.” Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about the 9/11 case in the military commission currently taking place on the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo.
Is the U.S. military commission conducting a trial concerning 9/11?
No, the legal proceedings at Guantanamo are only PRE-TRIAL hearings.
How long have the pre-trial hearings taken place? When will a trial start?
The pre-trial hearings are now in their 13th year. The arraignment took place on May 5, 2012.
A trial date still has yet to be set.
Who are the 5 defendants?
Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, Walid Muhammed Salih Mubarak Bin
Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi are accused of
directing, financing, or training the hijackers on 9/11
As of September 2023, Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh has severed from the case, declared mentally incompetent to stand trial
What work has Peaceful Tomorrows done as it relates to the 9/11 case?
Peaceful Tomorrows is a 22 year old organization that encourages a multilateral, collaborative effort to bring those responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks to justice in accordance with the principles of international law
Members have observed pre-trial hearings, drafted several Amicus briefs, and partnered with human rights organizations in the pursuit of justice, finality, and accountability
How long has Peaceful Tomorrows been sending members to observe the trials?
Peaceful Tomorrows is the only 9/11 family organization to have been granted non-government organization observer status to attend the military commissions at Guantanamo Bay
PT representatives have attended pre-trial hearings at Guantanamo Naval Base since 2016. PT members also watch hearings from the CCTV sites stateside.
What is a military commission?
A military commission is a military court of law traditionally used to try the law of war and other offenses
Who is the current judge?
On August 20, 2021, Colonel Matthew N. McCall, US Air Force, was detailed as the 8th military judge in the 9/11 case
Judge McCall announced his retirement on September 15, 2023, and anticipates he will remain on the case until December 2024; a new successor has yet to be named
Who works for the military commissions?
The military judge and his staff, the prosecution team, and the five defense teams –
including a death penalty learned counsel – are all paid by the Dept of Defense to
perform their respective functions
What is a possible resolution to the case?
Plea agreements would provide a stipulation of facts from each of the accused, answering the who, what, when, where, and why questions of the September 11th attacks. Plea agreements would result in guilty verdicts that would prevent the possibility of ever appealing those verdicts or sentences.
A plea agreement could also allow a process for 9/11 family members to pose questions to the defendants; requesting information from the accused themselves.
How can I observe the legal proceedings against the 9/11 accused?
Family members and first responders can attend the proceedings in person on the Guantanamo military base through the Victim Family Witness Assistance Program or as an NGO observer representing Peaceful Tomorrows
Additionally, the DoD has 4 Closed Circuit TV sites for 9/11 family members and first responders to view the proceedings in Fort Hamilton, Fort Meade, Fort Devens, and Fort Dix
Where can I learn more about PT members’ experiences?
Many PT members have written about their experience. Below is a list of non-exhaustive pieces:
Opinion: Guantanamo Bay is Delaying Justice for 9/11 Families”, The New York Times
Testimony of Ms. Colleen Kelly, founder of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, Senate Testimony
9/11 Families like Mine want Plea Agreements, Teen Vogue
Among The Iguanas - On life and the pursuit of death in Guantánamo Bay, The Indy
I Lost My Father on 9/11, but I Never Wanted to Be a “Victim”, Nation
For 9/11 families, it’s 22 years without answers, justice or accountability, The New York Post
I Lost My Father on 9/11. I Am Still Ashamed of the Injustice Done in the Name of Families Like Mine, Time
Letter to the Editor, The New York Times
Where can I learn more information?
A more detailed primer on the case can be found here
Articles: The New York Times’ Carol Rosenberg and Law Dragon cover the trials
Several former prisoners have written about their experience, including The Guantánamo Diary by Mohamedou Ould Slahi and Don’t Forget Us by Mansoor Adayfi
An article about a friendship between a former guard and former prisoner can be found here.
Information on the military commission, legal documents, and court transcripts can be found at www.mc.mil
How can I get involved?
Please reach out to the Rule of Law Committee at ruleoflaw.pt@gmail.com
Membership: If you lost a family member in the 9/11/2001 attacks and would like to join September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
Supporters: Individuals who did not lose a family member on 9/11, but are interested in supporting the work of Peaceful Tomorrows members
For additional information our to contact us directly, please email info@peacefultomorrows.org
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