FOIA

The University of Washington Is Taking the CIA to Court

Angelina Godoy, a law professor who directs the UWCHR, doesn't buy the agency's changing rationale. "Those two vastly divergent responses show a lack of seriousness in carrying out their obligations under the FOIA," she said. Last year, after Godoy and her team traveled to El Salvador, the center released a report on the killings, citing testimony from Cabrera and other residents of Santa Marta.

The harrowing report concludes that war crimes may have been committed and calls for further investigation. "A court needs to hear this case," Godoy said. "We need to establish a much fuller record. That's what we're hoping to do with the lawsuit." She emphasizes that the university, for its part, isn't accusing the CIA of participating in potential war crimes (for which there is no statute of limitations)—only of failing to disclose information about them.