Shahzad Akbar, an attorney for civilian victims of U.S. drone attacks was invited to speak on the subject over a year ago. Thus far the U.S. has not granted him a visa.

“Denying a visa to people like me is denying Americans their right to know what the U.S. government and its intelligence community are doing to children, women and other civilians in this part of the world,” Akbar said. “The CIA, which operates the drones in Pakistan, does not want anyone challenging their killing spree. But the American people should have the right to know.”

What follows is a press release from the Center for Constitutional Rights: