LOS ANGELES, Sept 27: A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy group on Friday reacted to the military’s probe into possible security violations at the American prison camp for terrorism suspects in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

A statement by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said suspects should be granted due process of law and punished if proven guilty by evidence presented in open court.

“If proven, crimes committed by a citizen of any faith should be punished. Islam does not permit treason, disloyalty or the breaking of oaths,” it said.

It said as the investigation went forward, the CAIR urge that all those suspected of wrongdoing be given their constitutionally-guaranteed right to due process of law, including the presumption of innocence.

It also urged that any court proceedings be open to the public and evidence be placed in the public record. These cases must be judged on the evidence, not on the religion or ethnicity of the defendants.

“Unfortunately, this troubling episode in our nation’s military history is being cynically exploited by those who have in the past sought to marginalize and disenfranchise the American Muslim community. It is at this time of difficulty that President Bush needs to publicly reject guilt by association and show support for the thousands of Muslims in the military whose loyalty is now being questioned,” it said.

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties group.