New letter on photos case
on Oct 16, 2009 at 12:57 pm
The Justice Department filled in the Supreme Court anew on Friday on Congress’ move to block the disclosure of scores of photos that are said to show torture and other abuse of detainees held by the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan. In a new letter, Solicitor General Elena Kagan reported that the House has passed the new measure, and the Senate is expected to consider it next week.
The legislation, as outlined in the letter, would appear to scuttle the move by the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups to force public release of the photos — a release that they won in the lower courts. A Justice Department petition seeking to protect the photos’ confidentiality (Defense Department v. ACLU, 09-160) is due to be considered by the Justices at their private Conference next Monday, according to the Court’s electronic docket.
