I am scheduled to travel to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from 30 July to 6 August 2022 to monitor pre-trial hearings in the U.S. Military Commission case of US v. al Nashiri. Mr. al Nashiri is charged with crimes associated with the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole off the coast of Yemen in 2000, killing and wounding dozens of U.S. sailors. 

My mission at Guantanamo is to attend, observe, be seen, analyze, critique, and publish materials on these hearings.

I was nominated for this mission by a project of Indiana University McKinney School of Law, where I am a second-year student. Professor George Edwards of our school founded the school’s Program in International Human Rights Law (PIHRL, pronounced “Pearl”), to which the Pentagon granted Non-Governmental Organization Observer Status (“NGO Observer”), permitting IU McKinney faculty, staff, students and graduates to travel to Guantanamo. The PIHRL created the school’s Military Commission Observation Project (MCOP), which nominated me.

You can read more about my nomination to this program here.

Final Preparation for my Mission in Guantanamo Bay

As I mentioned, before,  I was required to fulfill many requirements to confirm my travel to Guantanamo.

The MCOP sent me a “Guantanamo Checklist” as a guide to the process of preparing for my mission. Among other things, I needed to make travel arrangements to and from Washington D.C. because the plane to Guantanamo leaves from and returns to Joint Base Andrews, just outside Washington, gather and organize all the forms required by the Pentagon, and schedule a PCR test.

Scheduling a PCR Test and Getting Test Results

All observers traveling to Guantanamo must take a PCR covid test within 72 hours of departure, and the results must be negative. I researched where to get the PCR done, how long it would take to get results, and whether the test was the correct test. Rapid tests are not acceptable. I scheduled my test through CVS Pharmacy for Wednesday, 27 July 2022 at 1:30 p.m. eastern time. My test would comply within the 72-hour timeframe and was administered about 69 hours before my scheduled departure of Saturday at 10:0 a.m. I made the test booking online on Wednesday, 20 July 2022 about a week prior to my test date. I called and spoke to a CVS representative after booking my test and she assured me my results would come within 24-48 hours after taking it – so the results would be back by 1:30 on 29 July. On 28 July 2022, at around 6:00 p.m., my negative results were emailed to me, about 30 hours after taking the test, and 39 hours before the scheduled departure time on Saturday. With the negative PCR test result in hand, I was ready to travel to Guantanamo on 30 July 2022. 

Organizing All the Forms and Paperwork Required by the Pentagon

Before I left Northwest Indiana on at 10:00 a.m. on 29 July 2022, I tripled checked that I had all the necessary paperwork packed.

The Pentagon requires that several copies of documents and forms of identification be available as a hardcopy before you arrive at Joint Base Andrews, which is a military base located in Maryland, and it is the location where I am scheduled to board the plane to Guantanamo.  I had created a Guantanamo binder to hold my important documents. In that binder was my passport, state I.D., covid vaccination card, copies of my negative PCR covid test result, three copies of my invitational travel order (ITO), two copies of my SECNAV 5512, two copies of the U.S. government health declaration form, and three copies of my approved country and theater clearance, also known as APACS. I previously filled out the SECNAV 5512 form and returned it to the Pentagon, and now I have the Pentagon-approved copy in my binder.

After confirming I had all the documents and the correct number of copies for each, I organized my identification and paperwork in folders inside my binder so I could easily access everything when I arrived at Joint Base Andrews on Saturday morning.

Traveling to Washington D.C.

Because I was living and working in Northwest Indiana this summer, I decided to fly out of Chicago, Illinois to Washington. One of the requirements on the MCOP checklist is to share my proposed travel itinerary with Professor Edwards and the Acting Deputy Director, Professor Dunlap, before booking my flight. After they reviewed my flight information and felt comfortable with the days and times, I was able to purchase my flights about two weeks prior before my departure date.

I flew from Chicago Midway on 29 July 2022 to Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. I experienced some minor flight delays, and I arrived in D.C. in the early evening, about 4:15 p.m., an hour later than my original scheduled arrival. It is crucial to be aware of any flight delays to ensure you make it to Washington in plenty of time to make it to Joint Base Andrews by your scheduled arrival time.

Luckily, my close friend, Sara, lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and I was able to stay with her the night before my departure to Guantanamo Bay. She and her new puppy, Indy, picked me up from the D.C. airport and showed me to their new apartment. Because she lives in Virginia and I live in Indianapolis, it has been a few months since I last saw Sara. We had lots to discuss, and I took the time to explain my Guantanamo mission to her and how important it was. We had Chipotle for dinner and enjoyed a walk around the National Mall. It was a beautiful night in the nation’s capital. We returned to her apartment, where I checked my email and ensured everything was in place for tomorrow. She lives twenty minutes from Joint Base Andrews. We plan on leaving promptly at 5:30 a.m. to ensure I arrive at the base by 6:00 a.m.

Heading to Joint Base Andrews

I arrived at the Visitors Center of Joint Base Andrews right at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, 30 July 2022 and was greeted by my escort. Escorts serve as guides to the NGOs while they are at Joint Base Andrews, on the plane, and at Guantanamo. The escort and I waited for the other NGOs to arrive before we departed from the Visitor Center at 6:15 a.m. The first email I received from the Pentagon listed that five NGOs would be traveling to Guantanamo at the same time as me. These individuals would be representing other organizations and projects. Only four ended up arriving. There were three women: one representing Georgetown Law, another with Judicial Watch, and one with University of Miami School of Law. There was also man sent by Pacific Council. The escort then drove all of us into the base and dropped us at the airport terminal at 6:30 a.m.

The terminal was very similar to the airports I have been to. There is a security line, bags are put through an x-ray scanner, and all personnel must walk through a metal detector. I went through security and was escorted to the ticket agent, where they checked my ITO, APACS, negative covid test, and passport. The agent approved my travel and handed me my boarding pass. At this point, it was only 7:00 a.m., and my flight was not scheduled to leave until 10:00 a.m.

I was initial informed that rapid covid tests would be administered to all travelers at the terminal, however, no one to my knowledge received a test.

Our escort took us into a small room in the terminal. It had a few couches where the other NGOs, our escort and I sat for the next two and a half hours. We spent that time to get to know one another and discuss our various missions. I gave each NGO their own copy of the “Know Before You Go to Gitmo” and the “Guantanamo Bay Fair Trial Excerpts.” These manuals were created by the Military Commission Observation Project and are provided to NGO observers to help them prepare for their travel to Guantanamo and serve as a guide in fulfilling their mission. It was my duty as a representative of the MCOP to ensure that each NGO observer had a copy for their benefit.

During our time at the terminal, I met Ronald Flesvig, the Director of Public Affairs for the Office of Military Commissions. He introduced himself to all the NGOs and welcomed any questions we had before our departure. He talked candidly about his experience at Guantanamo. The conversation was informative and enlightening. He shared with us what to expect when inside the courtroom, how the defendant would be dressed, and some of the logistics of operating a Military Commission.

At 9:30 a.m., right before we boarded the plane, the escort informed me that the hearings concerning al Nashiri scheduled for Monday 1 August 2022 and Tuesday 2 August 2022 had been cancelled due to what he described as a small covid outbreak. The other NGOs and I are hopeful that the proceedings scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will still continue. We were also informed no member of the media would be flying down to the island on our flight, meaning the public will have a limited information on what happens in court this week.

Finally, at 9:35 a.m. it was time to board the plane. I was escorted to a shuttle bus where I was driven across the tarmac to a set of tall steps that lead you to the door of plane. NGOs are asked to sit in the back, so that is where I was headed. I chose a window seat and had the entire row to myself. The pilot stated that only 35 people were on my flight.

The plane departed from Joint Base Andrews shortly after 10:00 a.m. The flight to Guantanamo Bay was three and a half hours. I spent the flight reviewing my copies of the “Know Before You Go to Gitmo” and “Guantanamo Bay Fair Trial Excerpts” manuals, organizing my notes, and even managed to sneak in a quick nap. At 1:00 p.m. the pilot announced we were beginning out descent. I packed up my materials and prepared for landing.

My next blog post will discuss my experience arriving at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Lauren Lanham 

J.D. Candidate (2024) 

NGO Observer, Military Commission Observation Project (MCOP) 

Program in International Human Rights Law (PIHRL) 

Indiana University McKinney School of Law 

Introduction

I am scheduled to travel to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from 30 July to 6 August 2022 to monitor pre-trial hearings in the U.S. Military Commission case of US v. Al Nashiri. Mr. Abd a-Rahim al-Nashiri is the alleged mastermind behind the USS Cole bombing off the coast of Yemen on 12 October 2000. That attack killed 17 U.S. Navy sailors and injured dozens more.

I became aware of the opportunity to travel to Guantanamo Bay in the 2022 spring. I was a first-year law student at Indiana University McKinney School of Law. Professor George Edwards, the Director of the Program in International Human Rights Law (“PIHRL”, pronounced “Pearl”) at IU McKinney, sent a series of emails to students explaining that the Pentagon had granted the PIHRL “Non-Governmental Organization Observer Status” (“NGO Observer Status”), and that status permitted the PIHRL to send students, faculty, staff, and graduates to Guantanamo. Professor Edwards had created the Military Commission Observation Project (MCOP), as part of the PIHRL. Each Guantanamo email I saw in my inbox sparked my interest, and finally I decided to apply. After waiting, an interview, and more waiting, I was told that the MCOP had nominated me to the Pentagon for this Guantanamo mission.

About Me 

I am a second-year law student at Indiana University McKinney School of Law, and I expect to graduate with my Juris Doctorate in May 2024.

Before law school, I studied journalism, political science, and international studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. I received my degree in 2018 and began working as a marketing specialist in the hospitality industry.

I am also a founding member and director of The Molley Lanham Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. I founded the organization in honor of my late sister, who was murdered in 2019. Our goal is to provide a healing space to survivors of homicide.

My passion for the law stems from wanting to honor my sister. From my tragedy, I learned the best way to be an advocate for change and a fighter for justice is to get out there and do something about it. I am dedicated to providing meaningful legal work that will positively influence the community I serve.  

Application Process

I submitted my application to be an NGO Observer through the Military Commission Observation Project’s online forum in June 2022. Shortly after, I received an email from Professor George Edwards inviting me to interview for the mission via Zoom. I eagerly accepted his invitation. We discussed a few topics in our short meeting including: my first year of law school and some of the habits I created in this new learning environment and the importance of this mission and how the goal was to monitor as an independent and objective observer. 

A couple of weeks later, I was humbled to see my nomination in my email inbox. I took a moment to stop and reflect on the journey I was about to embark on – I would be traveling to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as an NGO Observer with the duty to fulfill an important mission.

My Mission 

As an NGO monitor, my mission is to attend, observe, be seen, analyze, critique, and publish materials on the al-Nashiri hearings. I must do this through the lens of an independent and objective observer.

Preparing for my Scheduled Travel to Guantanamo:  Details, Documents, and More Documents 

I began preparing for this mission shortly after learning of my nomination. Nominees must read “Know Before You Go to Guantanamo Bay Guide” and the “Guantanamo Fair Travel Manual.” I started my research there and became familiar with this mission’s many details. I also read other NGO Observers’ blog posts shared on the Gitmo Observer. The Gitmo Observer is Military Commission Observation Project of Indiana University McKinney School of Law’s Program in International Human Rights Law website. Observers share their experiences with the program and their time while at Guantanamo.

Additionally, Nominees must fill out many forms when preparing to travel to Guantanamo Bay. As a law student, I must comply with the requirements instructed by the Pentagon, the Program in International Human Rights Law / MCOP, Indiana University (e.g. the Office of International Affairs), and Indiana University McKinney School of Law.

First, I had to notify the Office of International Affairs that I had been nominated for this mission. After the Office of International Affairs has confirmed my nomination, I must complete two sets of requirements. The first set confirms my eligibility to travel and study abroad while the second gathers various health and safety information.

Second, the Pentagon requires six forms to confirm my travel. The forms explain the rules and procedures that are expected to be followed while on base and collect various demographic and personal data from the nominee. The forms are as follows:

1. the Hold Harmless Agreement;
2. the NGO Ground Rules for Observation of Military Commissioners;
3. the Invitational Traveler Worksheet;
4. the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Access Pass;
5. the NGO Representative Procedures for Observation of Military Commissions;  and
6. the NGO Observer Bio.

This step was more complicated than it might seem. The forms require an abundant amount of detail and must be filled out accurately in order to be accepted by the Pentagon. The other nominees and I discussed our questions and concerns to help each other fulfill this step.

Then, I sent the forms to Professor Edwards and the Project’s Acting Deputy Director Charles Dunlap for a final review. I have completed these forms and have submitted all six to the Pentagon.

Third, the Program in International Human Rights Law has its own requirements for NGO Observers to complete. I received the Military Commission Observation Project Checklist to guide my progress in meeting all requirements and will continue to update the checklist as I complete the tasks.

Conclusion

My scheduled departure date is fast approaching. I take great pride in fulfilling this mission and look forward to sharing this experience with others.

Lauren Lanham 

J.D. Candidate (2024) 

NGO Observer, Military Commission Observation Project (MCOP) 

Program in International Human Rights Law (PIHRL) 

Indiana University McKinney School of Law 

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