CAIR Welcomes Ruling that No-Fly List Appeals Process is Unconstitutional

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a ruling by a federal judge in Oregon that those placed on the government's so-called "no-fly list" are being denied their constitutional right to due process.

U.S. District Judge Anna Brown, ruling in a lawsuit filed by 13 American Muslims who were prevented from flying through U.S. airspace, ordered the government to come up with new procedures to allow people to challenge their inclusion on the secretive no-fly list. In a 65-page opinion issued today, Judge Brown said government procedures to challenge inclusion on the list are "wholly ineffective."

Judge Brown also ruled that the government must provide notice to those placed on the list and give the reasons for their inclusion. She ordered the government to allow the submission of evidence to refute official suspicions.

SEE: No-Fly List Appeals Process Unconstitutional, Federal Judge Rules
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/06/no-fly_list_appeals_process_un.html

"We welcome Judge Brown's ruling as a strong affirmation of the constitutional principle that rights, such as the right to travel freely, cannot be curtailed without due process of law," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. 

In January of this year, CAIR welcomed a ruling by a federal judge in Virginia that said placement on the government's no-fly list "transforms a person into a second class citizen, or worse."

That 32-page opinion allowed CAIR's lawsuit against the government on behalf of Virginia resident Gulet Mohamed to go forward.

SEE: Judge Anthony J. Trenga's Opinion
http://www.cair.com/images/pdf/Gulet-Order.pdf     

CAIR has assisted a number of other American Muslim citizens who have been stranded overseas by government actions and says travel bans are often used for the forced recruitment of informants.

Video: CAIR Rep Says FBI Uses No-Fly List for Forced Recruitment of Muslim Informants
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8u28aClaa0
Video: CAIR Lawsuit Challenges Government's 'No-Fly' List
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgzqnyw1yTU
Video: CAIR-LA Holds News Conference with Med Student on No-Fly List Detained in Bangkok
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0IF3yd422Y

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 202-742-6410, 720-251-0425, E-mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations