MAINE CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

Lawmakers Fail to Take Stand Against Torture
Bill Does Not Adequately Safeguard Human Rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 28, 2006

Portland- The Maine Civil Liberties Union today expressed deep disappointment over the passage of legislation that establishes military commissions to try enemy combatants. The bill poses a serious threat to civil liberties and human rights by opening the door for questionable tactics of interrogating and trying prisoners in United States custody.

“Congress has seriously undermined international faith in America’s commitment to human rights,” said Shenna Bellows, Executive Director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union. “By setting low standards for treatment of prisoners by the United States, we are setting a dangerous precedent for the rest of the world.”

On Wednesday, the House passed HR 6166, the bill to authorize trial by military tribunal.  And on Thursday, Senator Susan Collins voted in favor of the Senate version of the bill, a so-called compromise between the White House and Republican leaders of the Senate Armed Service Committee. 

Both versions of the bill give the President the ultimate authority to interpret the Geneva Conventions as he sees fit when determining proper interrogation methods of prisoners.  They also exempt federal Administration officials from lawsuits related to allegations of torture.

Senator Collins passed up another opportunity to defend human rights when she opposed Senator Arlen Specter’s proposed amendment to the Senate bill to grant habeas corpus, the right to challenge the legality of detainment, to prisoners in military custody.  Without habeas corpus detainees can be held indefinitely, without being charged, without any legal recourse.  The amendment to grant habeas corpus failed 48-51.

“Congress disregarded the pleas of faith leaders, human rights activists, civil libertarians, Democrats and Republicans alike when they voted in favor of military commissions without sufficient human rights protections,” said Bellows.  “Today, our leaders failed to take a clear stand against torture.”

The MCLU applauds Congressman Tom Allen, who voted against the House bill.  Senator Olympia Snowe was in Maine on Thursday and did not cast a vote on the Senate bill.

Update 9/29/06: On Friday, Congressman Mike Michaud changed his vote to oppose the House bill. The MCLU applauds Congressman Michaud for having the strength to take new information into account and make the right decision.

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