Why is it almost nothing is written about this bill? Bills Introduced to Restore Rights to Detainees By Jeralyn, Section Terror Detainees Posted on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 11:04:00 PM EST Tags: (all tags) Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) just introduced House bills to restore habeas corpus and other rights to the detainees. They are the The "Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007" and "Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007.
The ACLU says: "Congressman Nadler and Congresswoman Harman are true patriots for standing up for Constitutional rights and the rule of law," said Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. "We urge Congress to act quickly to restore due process and correct the mistake it made in passing the Military Commissions Act last year. The Nadler-Harman bills reaffirm Americas commitment to fairness and freedom." As to the two bills: The "Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007" mirrors a bill, S. 185, offered in the Senate by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Arlen Specter (R-PA), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill would restore habeas corpus for those detained by the American government. The "Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007" would also reinstate habeas rights and clarify the definition of "enemy combatants." Additionally, it would block the federal government from making up its own rules on torture. The Geneva Conventions have governed American behavior during war for decades. The bill makes clear the federal government must comply with the Conventions, and no one in the federal government - not even the president -- can make up their own rules on torture and abuse. On why these bills matter: "There is already clear evidence that some of those held at Guantanamo Bay shouldnt be there," said Christopher E. Anders, an ACLU Legislative Counsel. "These bills ensure that those being held by our government are afforded basic due process rights. The fact that innocent people are being held by our government, without charge, is an affront to our freedoms and values." Blog: http://kenthink7.blogspot.com/index.html
