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Friday, April 27, 2007

District Court Reverses Earlier Decision on "Terror" Designations

U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins of the Central District of California issued an opinion reversing an earlier ruling from November 2006 that portions of the Executive Order used to designate organizations as supporters of terrorism are unconstitutionally vague. Judge Collins left open the possibility that groups or individuals with ties to the designated groups could challenge the designations separately. The issue was reconsidered at the government's request, and determined that American supporters of Kurdish and Tamil separatist groups do not have standing to challenge the terrorist designations. The opinion states; " Plaintiffs' fear of designation by the President is ultimately based on speculation." Read the New York Sun article here.