Detainees tried by military commissions can claim some constitutional rights, including protection against statements given during coercive interrogation, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The Justice Department explained its decision in a confidential memorandum shared with the Journal.

Defense Department officials, however, have expressed concern that such a ruling would decrease the possibility for convicting some detainees.

Military prosecutors have said that involuntary statements comprise the majority of evidence against dozens of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, the Journal reported.

A Justice Department task force has been looking at how to set up military commissions that might better stand up to constitutional challenges, the Journal said, adding that the task force is expected to complete its work by July 21.

David Barron, acting assistant attorney general, advised the task force that federal courts likely would view the use of coerced statements as a violation of due process, the Journal reported.

Military officials disagree.

"We believe that military commissions, as distinct from other courts, are designed to not provide constitutional rights," Navy Capt. John F. Murphy, the Obama administration’s chief military prosecutor, said in the Journal.