U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit Holds Guant?namo Detainees Have Rights

On December 18, 2003, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in a two-to-one decision, reversed a district court decision and held that ?enemy combatants? have habeas corpus rights that enable them to have access to courts and counsel to challenge their confinement. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has already agreed to decide most of the issues decided by the 9th Circuit?s opinion, nevertheless the opinion of the appellate court may influence some of the determinations and reasoning of the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts.