Habeas Corpus: The Guantanamo Cases
Archival Researcher
The Documentary Group, Annenberg Classroom / The Constitution Project, 2013
One of our oldest human rights, habeas corpus safeguards individual freedom by preventing unlawful or arbitrary imprisonment. This documentary examines habeas corpus and the separation of powers in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks as the Supreme Court tried to strike a balance between the president’s duty to protect the nation and the constitutional protection of civil liberties in four major Guantanamo Bay cases: Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, Rasul v. Bush, Hamdan v. Rumsfeld and Boumediene v. Bush.
For this educational film exploring the constitutional right of habeas corpus, Claudia Lopez conducted archival research to source and license footage related to the aftermath of 9/11 and the detention of prisoners at Guantánamo Bay. Her work helped visually contextualize the legal and historical dimensions of the case, supporting the film’s mission to make complex constitutional principles accessible to students and educators.
Awards & Honors
Award of Excellence from the Best Shorts Competition
Gold Award for Best of Show from the Aurora Awards
Silver Screen Award from the U.S. International Film & Video Festival
Gold Eagle Award from the CINE Gold Eagle Awards
Gold Award from CINDY Awards
Silver World Medal from New York Festival's International TV & Film Awards