A welcome ruling

The ruling by a federal court in Washington questions the entire regime at Guantanamo Bay. The court has ruled that Salim Ahmed Hamdan cannot be put on trial until a competent tribunal has determined if he is entitled to the protections of the Geneva Conventions. It also stipulates that any trial must meet codes of military justice.

The ruling by a federal court in Washington questions the entire regime at Guantanamo Bay. The court has ruled that Salim Ahmed Hamdan cannot be put on trial until a competent tribunal has determined if he is entitled to the protections of the Geneva Conventions. It also stipulates that any trial must meet codes of military justice.

Although the Bush Administration will try to overturn it, the ruling is correct - the tribunals are deeply suspect. It is to the US judiciary's credit that it has not been afraid to stand up for the rule of law, even in the face of unreasonable behaviour by its own government.