Through The Gates of Hell: American Injustice at Guantanamo Bay with Joshua Colangelo-Bryan
Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Event Description
Mr. Colangelo-Bryan recounts his representation of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Jaber Mohammed that led to Mr. Mohammed's eventual release. The program provides insights into the United States' indefinite and abusive detention regime as well as the important legal and personal relationship that developed between lawyer and client.
About the speaker
Joshua Colangelo-Bryan is Special Counsel at Human Rights First, where he spearheads impact litigation and advocacy efforts to uphold democratic principles and support human rights defenders globally. Beyond representing Guantanamo detainees, he has sued Turkey for assaulting peaceful protestors in Washington, D.C., the Trump administration for attempting to deport a college student based on her pro-test activity, and a U.S. pastor who fomented legislation in Uganda criminalizing the LGBTQI community. Josh has conducted human-rights investigations in countries such as Yemen, Syria, and Bahrain.
In the early 2000s, Josh served with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, working on the prosecution of war crimes cases.
He has provided commentary for national media, authored op-eds in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian, and spoken before Congress and at colleges, law schools, churches, and synagogues regarding Guantanamo and international law.
Event Location
Moot Courtroom
11075 East Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44106
