Restore Habeas Corpus

[lonestarnot]

RESTORE HABEAS CORPUS

http://ga1.org/ct/P7eCLdM1PBIq/
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“In discarding habeas corpus, we are jettisoning one of the core principles of our nation precisely when we should be showcasing to the world our respect for the rule of law and basic rights. These are the characteristics that make our nation great. These are the values our men and women in uniform are fighting to preserve.”



– Letter to Senator Leahy (D-VT) from Retired Military Leaders


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We need you to take action today by joining the growing chorus of lawyers, judges, military officials, students, diplomats, and others urging members of Congress to restore habeas corpus. We’ve launched a new web site and web video to help spread the word.



The Government Makes Mistakes



We know that sometimes the government makes mistakes. As Senator Obama (D-IL) said in the debate on the Military Commissions Act last year:



“In this war, where terrorists can plot undetected from within our borders? it is understandable that mistakes will be made and identities will be confused. I don't blame the Government for that?But what is avoidable is refusing to ever allow our legal system to correct these mistakes. By giving suspects a chance--even one chance--to challenge the terms of their detention in court, to have a judge confirm that the Government has detained the right person for the right suspicions, we could solve this problem without harming our efforts in the war on terror one bit.”



Habeas Corpus is the method by which mistakes can be corrected. One U.S. commander at Guantanamo told the Wall Street Journal, “Sometimes, we just didn't get the right folks.” We must restore the Great Writ of Habeas Corpus and re-establish the rule of law as a check on government errors.



Watch the video, share it with your friends, and sign the petition to restore habeas corpus.



BACKGROUND: In the politically charged atmosphere of the 2006 mid-term elections, the Republican-controlled United States Congress passed the Military Commissions Act. Most alarmingly, the MCA eliminates for many individuals the historic and fundamental right to a writ of habeas corpus. The MCA also allows the government nearly unfettered discretion to determine which individuals are declared "enemy combatants," to hold these individuals indefinitely without charges, and to deny them fundamental judicial rights, including the meaningful opportunity to appear before a judge and contest the charges against them.




Several members of Congress have authored legislation to restore the right of habeas corpus, and give detainees access to a fair hearing in a court of law. Now is the time to show our support for legislative remedies to cure this Constitutional malady.

TAKE ACTION: Thousands of activists have joined the national on-line petition to restore habeas corpus.

Please take a moment to add your name to the national on-line petition.

Print a copy of the petition and circulate it amongst to your colleagues.
Tell a friend about the online petition to restore habeas corpus.
www.defendhabeas.org