ACLU Slams Deal On Detainees

[deminks]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/22/terror/main2032403.shtml

(page 2)

(CBS/AP) The deal doesn't sit well with everyone. The American Civil Liberties Union is calling on Congress to reject the compromise, which it says does not meet international treaty obligations and fails to protect the due process rights of suspects.

"This is a compromise of America's commitment to the rule of law. The proposal would make the core protections of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions irrelevant and unenforceable," says Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU's Washington legislative office. "The president would have the authority to declare what is - and what is not - a grave breach of the War Crimes Act, making the president his own judge and jury.

"The agreement would also violate time-honored American due process standards by permitting the use of evidence coerced through cruel and abusive treatment," she adds. "These are tactics expected of repressive regimes, not the American government."

Fredrickson notes that while briefing reporters Thursday, "National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley would not even answer a question about whether waterboarding (a technique in which suspects are repeatedly brought to the point of almost drowning) would be permitted under the agreement."

[SpiralHawk]

1. "repressive regimes" = BushCo republicons.

BushCo and the republicons like to pretend they are Americans.

But they are chickenhawk oil-crony, war-profiteering christofascists.

Make no mistake.

[deacon]

2. this is illegal, someone needs to be pointing this out- the deserters

of america, the president and the GOP lead congress.

[texpatriot2004]

3. I am very grateful for the ACLU nm

[rodeodance]

4. no mention in this long report about immunity from procecution. I have

read several article last night and today and not a word.

[gulfcoastliberal]

5. Too bad our Dem leadership doesn't slam, filibuster, or otherwise block it

They have totally sold us down the river.

[pinerow]

6. Yup...Dems have been out of this discussion, sitting back,

waiting for the repub's to implode...I don't like that strategy at all...:wtf:

[w4rma]

7. Waterboarding is very very similar to "dunking witches". (nt)