Clive Stafford Smith

2005

Clive Stafford Smith

Justice in Exile

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Legal Advocacy

The Bold Idea:

Bringing accountability to Guantanamo Bay by providing prisoners of war with legal aid, advocacy, and public relations strategies.

With over 500 prisoners currently being held at Guantanamo Bay and other international “law free zones” arising globally, there are now an estimated 10,000 “ghost detainees” around the world, who are being denied the most basic of human rights. This phenomenon of wholesale detention beyond the reach of the law is so new that a unique set of legal and advocacy strategies are required to meet the challenge presented. Justice in Exile will respond to this growing need by establishing centers for the representation of individuals held as prisoners of the “War on Terror.” The organization will develop as a coalition of partnerships throughout the world since prisoners hail from over 50 countries. Through legal, advocacy and public relations strategies, Justice in Exile will strive to bring the rule of law back to Guantanamo Bay and other such facilities.

Biography:

As a lawyer in the South for 21 years, Clive has represented 300 challenging death penalty cases. In addition to working with Guantanamo cases, he has traveled throughout the Middle East to interview prisoners’ families. To date, Clive has helped file 60 lawsuits on behalf of these clients.

Moment of Obligation: When and why did you decide to start your organization?
When Guantanamo was opened in early 2002, I was horrified because it represented such profound hypocrisy for a nation committed to the rule of law. So I knew then that it had to be closed down.

Who do you look up to and why?
My clients because they are the people who really suffer. The rest of us tend to be fortunate people who have the tremendous privilege of being able to help, and who get immense gratification from this, while the clients are the ones who have to endure the consequences.

A snapshot in ten years: What is your dream of what's happening? What impact has your organization had?
Gitmo will be closed (and that is not a dream). But the other US lawless enclaves will be gone. Torture will be back in the history books where it belongs instead of the current agenda, and the West will pull in its 9/11 horns in recognition that we have been forcefully destroying everything we stand for.

What's in your CD player right now?
The new Coldplay, but there is still some chance that a band will come along which actually means to use its power to some political, rather than apolitical, end.

What are a few book recommendations (pleasure, work and anything in between)?
Go back and read the Jeeves series and laugh, without being too earnest.

What websites do you go to often (work and personal)?

• www.bbc.com

Quick piece of advice for people starting social change organizations:
Don't argue with people you disagree with, just get on with it and focus your energy.