Habeas Corpus, Judicial Review, and Limits on Secrecy in Detentions at Guantanamo

The article examines the role of secrecy in post-9/11 counterterrorism detentions, particularly at Guantanamo Bay, and the legal challenges posed by the Detainee Treatment Act (DTA) and Military Commissions Act (MCA). These acts sought to limit habeas corpus jurisdiction, potentially restoring a system of unaccountable detentions. The analysis highlights how habeas corpus serves as a critical check on executive power, ensuring judicial review of detentions and transfers, and protecting against unlawful confinement. The Supreme Court's rulings in Rasul v. Bush and Hamdan v. Rumsfeld are central to this discussion, as they affirmed habeas protections and invalidated certain detention practices.