The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that Senator Lindsey Graham has
submitted draft legislation to the White House that creates a framework for handling terrorism suspects. In the afterglow of Obama's health care victory, it's easy to imagine the White House striking a conciliatory note and capitulating to dangerous recommendations.
The ACLU put out this
press release in response to Graham's proposal.
Here are some quotes from ACLU folks on the front lines:
Laura W. Murphy, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office:
“Despite pressure from Senator Graham, the Obama administration should not enact any policies that allow for the indefinite detention of individuals – potentially for a lifetime – without providing due process and a meaningful opportunity to challenge the detention. Indefinite detention without charge or trial flies in the face of American values and violates this country’s commitment to the rule of law. The assumption that sacrificing our principles will make us safe is not only false; it is dangerous. If Senator Graham’s legislation is introduced, Congress must stand strong and uphold our most cherished values, not cement into law policies that rival the worst of the Bush administration’s legacy. Even during years immediately following 9/11, Congress never took the unprecedented step of passing an indefinite detention statute. Now that there is a president and Congress who have stated a commitment to the rule of law, it would be a terrible irony to have this kind of legislation seriously considered. We urge both the White House and Congress to reject any indefinite detention proposal.”
Jameel Jaffer, Director of the ACLU National Security Project:
"The Obama administration should not use the discredited military commissions system for the most important terrorism trials in American history. The federal criminal justice system has experienced judges, experienced prosecutors, a track record that includes hundreds of successful terrorism prosecutions and procedural rules that have been tested and refined over two centuries. To displace this system for a military commissions system that does not have rules, that is certain to result in further delay, that has resulted in only three convictions over eight years and that is viewed as illegitimate by much of the rest of the world, would be deeply irresponsible. Attorney General Holder’s decision to use federal criminal courts was the right decision for national security and the right decision for the rule of law. The Obama administration should reaffirm the decision, not reverse it."
Take action by
letting President Obama know that trials by Military Commissions are unacceptable.