Source: ACLU on After Downing Street
A broad coalition of human rights and civil liberties groups sent a letter to the U.S. Senate today urging it to defeat a bill that would prohibit using Justice Department funds to prosecute the accused 9/11 plotters in federal court.
Bill aims for unconstitutional military commissions instead of rule of law
The bill, introduced earlier this month by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), aims to force the Obama administration to use the unconstitutional and discredited military commissions to try these cases. Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA) introduced a similar companion bill in the House.
In its letter to the Senate, the coalition stated:
“This legislation would needlessly tie the President’s hands in resolving the problem of Guantánamo and disposing of cases in ways that comport with human rights principles and the rule of law.
"The legislation would restrict the Obama administration’s ability to employ one of the most valuable counterterrorism tools available — criminal prosecutions in regular federal courts.” (Read the letter here)
The letter concludes with: "Adhering to the rule of law both protects human rights and enhances national security. We urge you to oppose S. 2977."
It was signed by the following organizations:
Alliance for Justice
American Civil Liberties Union
Amnesty International USA
Appeal for Justice
Center for Constitutional Rights
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Human Rights First
Human Rights Watch
International Justice Network
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
New Security Action
Comments
These people don't believe we are really at war. It is really sickening to be so concerned about fair trials for people who are out to kill us. What defense are they giving our prisoners? They just behead them and we are supposed to be protesting their trials before a military tribunal? We have to be more humane than that because these terrorists are so innocent aren't they?
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