Re: Red Cross lambasts US terror law

[G. Morgan <alarmpro@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 20 Oct 2006 00:23:07 -0400, "Robert L Bass"
<robertbass1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
>Red Cross lambasts US terror law
>
>      Mr Kellenberger said the ICRC was still studying the law
>The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed concern over a newly-approved US anti-terrorism law.
>ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger said the law raised "questions" about its compliance with the Geneva Conventions on the conduct of
>war.
>
>He said some points had been ommitted, such as the right to a fair trial and the ban on humiliating and degrading treatment of
>prisoners.
>
>President Bush signed the law on Tuesday, saying it would say US lives.
>
>The Military Commissions Act of 2006 sets standards for the interrogation and prosecution of foreign terror suspects held by the US.
>
>The law aims to enshrine defendants' human rights, but still restricts their right to challenge their detention.
>
>It follows a Supreme Court ruling in June that military tribunals set up to prosecute detainees at Guantanamo Bay violated US and
>international law.
>
>ICRC criticism
>
>"Our preliminary reading of the new legislation raises certain concerns and questions," Mr Kellenberger said.
>
>     MILITARY TRIBUNALS
>
>
>
>      Q&A: US military tribunals
>      Room for questioning
>
>"The very broad definition of who is an 'unwlful enemy combatant' and the fact that there is not an explicit prohibition on the
>admission of evidence attained by coercion are examples."
>
>Mr Kellenberger said the ICRC would discuss its concern with the White House, such as how the law "omits certain violations from the
>list of acts that are war crimes under US domestic law".
>
>"These include the prohibition of outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, and the
>prohibition of the denial of the right to a fair trial, which is a basic protection provided for in international law," he said.
>
>Special tribunals
>
>Mr Bush said on Tuesday the law would allow the CIA "to continue to question terrorists and save lives".
>
>
>      Mr Bush said the law would save American lives
>
>"It complies with the spirit and letter of the US's international obligations," the president added.
>
>He said the law also set out a system of special tribunals, which would give defendants a fair trial.
>
>"These military commissions will provide a fair trial in which the accused are presumed innocent, have access to an attorney, and
>can hear all the evidence against them. These military commissions are lawful, they are fair, and they are necessary."
>
>The legislation was passed by both houses of Congress in September after intense debate.
>
>Civil liberties groups say the law does not guarantee detainees' rights, and legal challenges are to be expected.
>
>
--

-Graham
(remove the double e's to email)