“Between September 11, 2001 and April 1, 2010, it is believed that nearly 800 persons had been detained at Guantanamo Bay (official Department of Defense reports put the total at 660, while a variety of outside media and human rights organizations report a much higher population). As of February 2010, 189 remain. The 600 or so detainees who were released during that period of time were found not have committed any crime under international or U.S. law, and until 2006, they were even denied legal access to habeas corpus. In accordance with U.S. and international legal standards they were innocent persons held in violation of due process of law. Most were tortured or subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in violation of international law, the U.S. constitution, and U.S. laws. Notwithstanding the knowledge that these 600 or so persons were innocent, they were kept between three and seven years before their release.” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– M. Cherif Bassiouni, The Institutionalization of Torture by the Bush Administration, Page v