David Hicks, an Australian, was the first person to have been convicted by the US military commissions. He pleaded guilty in April 2007 to one count of providing material support for terrorism and was sentenced to seven years. All but nine months of this sentence were suspended, and Hicks served seven months in his native Australia and was released on December 29, 2007. Included in the plea deal was a one-year gag rule that prohibited Hicks from discussing his treatment or capture. Hicks was also barred from suing anyone is the US government regarding his detention or treatment, and from profiting from the eventual sale of his story.

Hicks told his lawyers that he was mistreated by US forces in Afghanistan prior to his transfer to Guantanamo, saying he was beaten, made to endure prolonged sleep deprivation, and forced to take unidentified medication.

Human Rights Watch Commentary:

• Jennifer Daskal commentary, "Spring Break in Guantanamo," The Huffington Post, April 2, 2007
• Jennifer Daskal op-ed, "This Was a Trial?" International Herald Tribune, April 1, 2007
• Human Rights Watch press release, "US: Stop the Guantanamo Circus," March 27, 2007
• Human Rights Watch press release, "US: Transfer Hicks to Federal Court," March 26, 2007

Military Commissions Documents:

• General Information Page
• Sworn Charges - February 2, 2007
• Referred Charges - March 1, 2007

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