Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Treatment of Detainees in War on Terror

Aired June 02, 2003 - 15:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Here in Washington, the Justice Department's inspector general is out with a critical new report on the treatment of hundreds of detainees in the war on terror. Among other things, the investigation uncovered cases of verbal and physical abuse. Our justice correspondent, Kelli Arena, is following that story -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Judy, the inspector general's report has been anticipated for months. It deals with the 762 immigration detainees that were dubbed "special interest cases," those that were picked up in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GLENN FINE, JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR GENERAL: The department faced enormous challenges in response to the September 11th attacks. There were monumental challenges and there was chaos and uncertainties connected with the attack. Having said that, we looked at the treatment of September 11th detainees and found significant problems in the way they were treated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: For example, the IG says there was an unwritten policy concerning detainees. No bond until they were cleared of any terrorism connection by the FBI. The report says the FBI's clearing process was given low priority, was understaffed, and that as a result, detainees were held longer than necessary.

In criticism lodged against the former INS, the report states that some detainees were not told why they were being held for more than a month. And in criticism against the Bureau of Prisons, the report says there was some evidence of a pattern of physical and verbal abuse by some correctional officers against some immigrants. We spoke to one former detainee before the report was released.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARENA (voice-over): Hady Hassan Omar says 73 days in solitary confinement drove him into a depression so deep, he wanted to kill himself.

HADY HASSAN OMAR, FORMER DETAINEE: I was confused and afraid. ARENA: Omar, an Egyptian immigrant, was arrested on September 12th, 2001 at his mother-in-law's house in Arkansas. He had bought an airline ticket at this Kinko's in Florida in late August, the very same place that September 11th hijacker Mohammed Atta bought a ticket just the day before.

Omar was never charged with anything related to terrorism. He was accused of violating his visa. He says his humiliation started with a body cavity search.

HASSAN OMAR: I was videotaped in front of all kinds of people while I was searched. And they served me pork in prison. However, I told them from the first day that I can't eat pork and it's against my religion.

ARENA: Omar is suing the government, claiming his treatment amounted to torture.

HASSAN OMAR: When we make mistakes we go to prison and we're held accountable for what we do. And it should be the same way with the government when they make mistakes.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ARENA: The Justice Department rejects Omar's claim, saying that he was treated fairly. The Justice Department has consistently defended its post-9/11's actions, saying its that its number one priority was and continues to be to protect Americans against another terror attack. And officials insist that they have acted fully within the law -- Judy.

WOODRUFF: And still, that report raising a lot of eyebrows. Kelli Arena, thank you very much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired June 2, 2003 - 15:08   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Here in Washington, the Justice Department's inspector general is out with a critical new report on the treatment of hundreds of detainees in the war on terror. Among other things, the investigation uncovered cases of verbal and physical abuse. Our justice correspondent, Kelli Arena, is following that story -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Judy, the inspector general's report has been anticipated for months. It deals with the 762 immigration detainees that were dubbed "special interest cases," those that were picked up in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GLENN FINE, JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR GENERAL: The department faced enormous challenges in response to the September 11th attacks. There were monumental challenges and there was chaos and uncertainties connected with the attack. Having said that, we looked at the treatment of September 11th detainees and found significant problems in the way they were treated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: For example, the IG says there was an unwritten policy concerning detainees. No bond until they were cleared of any terrorism connection by the FBI. The report says the FBI's clearing process was given low priority, was understaffed, and that as a result, detainees were held longer than necessary.

In criticism lodged against the former INS, the report states that some detainees were not told why they were being held for more than a month. And in criticism against the Bureau of Prisons, the report says there was some evidence of a pattern of physical and verbal abuse by some correctional officers against some immigrants. We spoke to one former detainee before the report was released.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARENA (voice-over): Hady Hassan Omar says 73 days in solitary confinement drove him into a depression so deep, he wanted to kill himself.

HADY HASSAN OMAR, FORMER DETAINEE: I was confused and afraid. ARENA: Omar, an Egyptian immigrant, was arrested on September 12th, 2001 at his mother-in-law's house in Arkansas. He had bought an airline ticket at this Kinko's in Florida in late August, the very same place that September 11th hijacker Mohammed Atta bought a ticket just the day before.

Omar was never charged with anything related to terrorism. He was accused of violating his visa. He says his humiliation started with a body cavity search.

HASSAN OMAR: I was videotaped in front of all kinds of people while I was searched. And they served me pork in prison. However, I told them from the first day that I can't eat pork and it's against my religion.

ARENA: Omar is suing the government, claiming his treatment amounted to torture.

HASSAN OMAR: When we make mistakes we go to prison and we're held accountable for what we do. And it should be the same way with the government when they make mistakes.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ARENA: The Justice Department rejects Omar's claim, saying that he was treated fairly. The Justice Department has consistently defended its post-9/11's actions, saying its that its number one priority was and continues to be to protect Americans against another terror attack. And officials insist that they have acted fully within the law -- Judy.

WOODRUFF: And still, that report raising a lot of eyebrows. Kelli Arena, thank you very much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com