Iraqi survivors of Abu Ghraib torture to get day in court as suit against contractor goes to trial 

On June 30th, 2008, four years after images of torture at Abu Ghraib horrified people all over the world, a group of victims filed suit against CACI, the Virginia-based private security company hired by the U.S. government to conduct interrogations at the prison. On April 15, 2024 after nearly sixteen years and twenty plus dismissal attempts by CACI, the case will go to trial. 

The only case of its kind still alive, Al Shimari v. CACI is an exceedingly rare opportunity for accountability for the egregious harms suffered by Iraqis after the U.S. invasion in 2003. In fact, this is the first lawsuit where victims of U.S. post-9/11 torture will get their day in court. The trial will be in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.

As it happens, the trial – projected to last two weeks – will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Abu Ghraib scandal and the world learned the horrifying treatment Iraqi detainees were subjected to in the U.S.-run detention center. The plaintiffs – Suhail Najim Abdullah Al Shimari, Asa’ad Hamza Hanfoosh Zuba’e, and Salah Hasan Nusaif Al-Ejaili – endured the infamous tactics and their aftermath. They will soon tell their story in a courtroom in hopes that a jury will hold this corporation accountable and provide a degree of justice. 

For more info about the case, see our new factsheet. 

We call on Travis County, Texas to respect the right to counsel for detained people at their initial court appearance  

We joined dozens of organizations in expressing our urgent concern about the absence of legal representation at initial bail hearings in Travis County, Texas, which includes the city of Austin. Travis County officials should develop and implement a plan to provide in-person counsel for all arrested people as quickly as possible. This need is especially urgent given Texas’ continuing efforts to implement SB4, which would allow magistrate judges not trained in immigration law to order removal of noncitizens as early as their first court appearance. 

This is a crisis. Travis County forces people to make an impossible choice each day: remain locked up in jail without the chance to be heard, or argue for their freedom at initial bail hearings without the support of an attorney and risk saying something that can hurt their case. 

Read the full letter on the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas website.

Congratulate Theda Jackson-Mau on her retirement and make a gift in her honor 

We wish to congratulate Theda Jackson-Mau, Director of Development, who will retire on May 3, 2024. Last week in a formal resolution, the Center for Constitutional Rights Board of Directors acknowledged Theda’s 50-year career of progressive activism at numerous non-profit organizations and thanked her for her fierce loyalty to our mission. An excerpt:

“Theda Jackson-Mau joined us in 2016 and has served the organization tirelessly ever since. As a dedicated member of our Management Team – the senior leadership of our organization – Theda’s thoughtful contributions helped ensure our vibrant growth, engender support for her leadership colleagues, and strengthen organization-wide commitment to our work, mission, and vision. Theda’s contributions over the years leave the organization’s fundraising operation on strong footing for her successor. The strongest it has ever been. Her building and nurturing of our Development Department has been a masterwork.”

Theda, you will be missed as a colleague, a mentor, and a friend. Thank you and adieu!

As we bid farewell to Theda, we invite you to make a donation in her honor!  

Work with us! Staff Attorney, Southern Regional Office & Media Associate 

We are hiring for two new positions!

The Staff Attorney, Southern Regional Office will play a pivotal role in shaping our social justice litigation and advocacy presence in Jackson, Mississippi in alignment with our overall strategic priorities. The Staff Attorney will assist in developing radical legal interventions that exemplify our model of driving social change through strategic impact litigation, cutting-edge advocacy, and strategic communications. This position will serve as a key institutional representative for Southern Justice Rising and proactively develop relationships throughout the South. Deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 3rd. 

Read the full job description on our website. Candidates should submit an online application. 

The Media Associate will provide support to the Communications Department and its director, managing the weekly e-newsletter, handling day-to-day administrative responsibilities, and contributing to podcasts, social media work, and other projects. 

Read the full job description on our website. Candidates should submit an online application.