Michael Ratner, American lawyer, Died at 72

  Law

Michael Ratner was born in 1943 and died on May 11, 2016.

He was an attorney, President Emeritus of the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), a non-profit human rights litigation organization based in New York City, and president of the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), based in Berlin.

He was a well-known human rights activist.

Himself along with CCR were the attorneys in the United States for publishers Julian Assange and Wikileaks.

Michael was co-counsel in representing the Guantanamo Bay detainees in the United States Supreme Court, where, in June 2004, the court decided his clients have the right to test the legality of their detentions in court.

He served as the president of the National Lawyers Guild and the author of numerous books and articles, including the books The Trial of Donald Rumsfeld: A Prosecution by Book, Against War with Iraq and Guantanamo: What the World Should Know, as well as a textbook on international human rights.

Michael also the co-host of the radio program, Law and Disorder.

Ratner and three other attorneys were the host of the Pacifica Radio show that reported legal developments related to civil liberties, civil rights and human rights.

He was the brother of radio talk show host and Fox News contributor Ellen Ratner and New Jersey Nets owner, Bruce Ratner.

Ratner was a 1966 graduate of Brandeis University.

Ratner received his law degree from Columbia Law School.

Michael Ratner passed away at 72 yrs old.