US government asks judge to dismiss 'no-fly' list lawsuit

Airline Industry Information, Nov 5, 2004

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The US Justice Department has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit that claims the 'no-fly' list of people deemed a threat to the US violates air travellers' rights.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which brought the suit, said that the government had failed to put in place safeguards that would prevent suspicion due to mistaken identity. The ACLU brought the case on behalf of seven people who claimed that they had been repeatedly harassed at airports because they were on the list mistakenly.

Lawyers representing the Justice Department claim that the checks are necessary since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but the ACLU claims that the government could find a way of protecting civil liberties and the safety of air traffic. US District Judge Thomas Zilly has to rule on whether the case should be dismissed, heard in his court or passed on to a high court, reports The Associated Press.

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