International Visitors
Developing nations, especially ones with emerging or fledgling democracies, look to America to study its institutions, laws and the ingenious balance of powers created by our Founding Fathers. Through various programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), delegates from these nations visit the United States and are put into contact with organizations like Judicial Watch. Since 2001, Judicial Watch has been a major participant in the Department of State’s IVLP and other leadership exchange programs, having received over 83 visiting delegations. As the premier Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigator in America today, Judicial Watch is one of the most sought after transparency and accountability organizations for personal meetings with emerging leaders from around the world who are interested in learning how they can stop corruption and demand accountability from their judges, government officials, and political parties.
The United Nations Department of Public Information
The United Nations Department of Public Information hosts monthly briefings and other workshops and an annual conference where representatives of NGOs from every corner of the world come together for the purpose of networking and collaborating on solutions to some of the world’s most challenging problems, from security issues such as crime and violence, hunger and disease, persecution and war, to major development issues of education, job opportunities, and women’s empowerment.
Judicial Watch is associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information (UN.DPI) as a nongovernmental organization (UN-DPI), whose mission is to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in government, politics and the law. It fulfills its educational mission through litigation, investigations, and public outreach. Its International Program serves as an integral part of its educational program.
Judicial Watch GTMO Observer Program
Judicial Watch was granted observer status by the Pentagon to observe the arraignment of Khalid Shieh Mohammad at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in June of 2008. Since the recommencement of the 9/11 hearings at Guantanamo Bay in November 2011, JW has attended 95 percent of the hearings held at the detention facility, as well as Periodic Review Board Proceedings (PRBs) currently held at the Pentagon. Judicial Watch staff and representatives have attended and monitored over 154 hearings to date.
The detainee background information and summary of the most recent hearing is set forth below. For previous hearing summaries, see the Archive section.
Subject of Hearing: Abu Faraj Al Libi ISN 10017
ISN 10017 Mustafa Faraj Muhammad Muhammad Mas’ud Al Jadid Al Uzaybi, who also answers to the kunya “Abu Faraj Al Libi,” is a 48-year-old Libyan citizen. A combination of intelligence/investigation and the reports of other GTMO detainees, partially confirmed by ISN 10017, indicate that he was recruited by Al Qa’ida in Tripoli, traveled to the Al Farouq training camp in Afghanistan. He developed expertise and became a trainer in artillery and arms, but then retired from fieldwork to run the camp. When much of Al Qa’ida relocated to Pakistan, ISN 10017 took charge of logistical management of the fighters and their families and oversaw financial needs. Prior to his capture in May 2005 and transfer to GTMO in September 2006, he developed contacts between other terrorist organizations and Osama Bin Laden.
The initial Periodic Review Board (PRB) for ISN 10017 occurred on 16 August 2016, and he elected not to attend. The Board stated its inability to assess the credibility of his profession that he no longer remains a threat to the U.S. As a result of his refusal to participate, he was assessed to be a continuing threat requiring retention. The Board reviewed ISN 10017’s file and filings for mitigating or changed circumstances that would necessitate a new hearing on 8 March 2017, 18 October 2017, 11 April 2018, and 17 October 2018, and four times concluded their review raised no question as to whether continued detention was warranted. The subsequent full PRB review on 21 May 2019 was triggered by review schedule requirements
May 21, 2019 Hearing Summary:
The 21 May 2019 Periodic Review Board (PRB) Subsequent Full Review hearing for ISN 10017 Mustafa Faraj Muhammad Masud Al Jadid Al Uzaybi, kunya Abu Faraj Al Libi, convened before six members of the public, who represented:
- Human Rights First
- International Committee of the Red Cross (two representatives)
- Indiana State University
- Judicial Watch
- The Miami HeraldIn this Subsequent Full Review, ISN 10017’s personal representative reported that, since the initial review, the detainee has refused meeting with any representative. This has persisted through all file reviews and three arranged meetings since the fourth file review on 17 October 2018. There were no statements by or mention of private counsel. The Board closed the PRB session without questions.Personal Observations:Though most detainees in the Subsequent Full Review stage in 2019 have elected not to attend their hearings, ISN 10017 is one of the very few who have resisted participation in the entire PRB process. He ostensibly requested that his written submission for the Initial Review not be posted, but he has refused interaction in all File Reviews, indicating the likelihood that there are no detainee written submissions. Given that refusal to participate began during the Obama administration, his reason for refusing does not root in the relative likelihood of release per political administration. Either ISN 10017 considers any release improbable due to his status as a “high value detainee,” or he is embracing some form of martyrdom or social influence through his detention.
In the Media
The Hill published the following article by Thomas Wheatley, a participant in Judicial Watch’s GTMO Observer Program.
“Trump, honor Obama’s agreement to release Guantanamo detainee,”
The Hill, October 4, 2017About Thomas Wheatley, https://www2.gmu.edu/news/424386
International Visitors and UN DPI/NGO Briefings
- 2018
- 2017
- Summary of UN Event: The Trade in Minors in the Digital Age – September 28, 2017
- 2016
- Countries represented by international visitors to Judicial Watch in 2016:
Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Albania, Czech Republic, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Macedonia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Togo, Finland, Georgia, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Kuwait, Lesotho, Nepal, Netherlands, Philippines, Vietnam, and South Sudan - 2015
- Wrap up for 2015
- Countries represented by international visitors to Judicial Watch in 2015:
Macedonia, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH),Bulgaria, France, Georgia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, Algeria Brunei, Croatia, Egypt, Hungary, India, Lithuania, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, and Venezuela - 2014
- Wrap up for 2014
- Countries represented by international visitors to Judicial Watch in 2014:
China, Argentina, Columbia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Argentina, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Republic of Kosovo, Moldova, Netherlands, Serbia, , Kenya, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Honduras- Western Hemisphere – September
- 65th UN DPI/NGO Conference – August
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- Croatia
- India and Bhutan
- UN-DPI, Washington, DC – “Rediscovering Preventive Diplomacy for Peace in the World’s Hotspots: A View from the United Nations”
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Vietnam
- French Counterterrorism Officials
- 2009
- 2008
- Thailand
- Multi-Regional Delegation – The US Judicial System – Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burma, Timor-Leste, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Nigeria, Malawi, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, People’s Republic of China, South Africa
- France
- 11 Latin American Countries – Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela
- 2007
- 2006
- Croatia – Law Enforcement and the Judiciary
- Tanzania
- France- French Ministry of Justice
- The Multi-Regional Project
- Italy
- Ukraine
- France
- Kyrgyzstan
- Cambodia
- Croatia
- Fulbright Fellows
- The Sun Shines in Over 60 Countries Worldwide
- 2005
- 2004
- Latvia
- West Africa delegation
- Czech Republic
- Ghana
- 2003
- Brazil
- Russia
- Republic of China
- 2002
- Japan
- Turkey
- 2001
- Moldova
