New Detainee Treatment Law Target of Constitutional Court Challenge

Interview with Wells Dixon, an attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, conducted by Scott Harris

In the final weeks before the Nov. 7 midterm congressional election, the Republican-controlled House and Senate passed the Military Commissions Act, legislation that lays out how the U.S. can try terrorist suspects, and how detainees are treated under the Geneva Conventions. The GOP facing a very tough election year, hoped their "get tough on terrorism" rhetoric and passage of this bill would increase their chances to retain control of Congress. The bill, approved in the House by a 253 to 168 vote margin - and in the Senate by a 65 to 34 vote -- gives the president unilateral power to define the meaning and application of the Geneva Conventions while prohibiting the judiciary branch from hearing challenges. The law also expands the definition of "unlawful enemy combatant" to include those who directly or indirectly support hostilities against the United States. Under the measure, the president has the power to declare U.S. citizens enemy combatants, subject to indefinite detention.

Most alarming to civil liberties advocates is the provision of the law that eliminates the U.S. Constitution's habeas corpus protections for non-U.S. citizens, preventing them from challenging their detention in federal court. Shortly after the bill's passage, the Center for Constitutional Rights filed the first challenge to key provisions of the Military Commissions Act. Many observers expect that this and other challenges will eventually be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Wells Dixon, an attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, who explains why he and many other legal scholars believe the new law is unconstitutional.

Wells Dixon, an attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, represents detainees held at the U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Contact the Center by calling (212) 614-6464; or visit their website at www.ccr-ny.org

Related links:

National Lawyers Guild at www.nlg.org

Human Rights Watch at www.hrw.org

Amnesty International at www.amnesty.org

People for the American Way at www.pfaw.org at (202) 467-4999

LISTEN to this week's half-hour program of Between The Lines by clicking on one of the links below:
www.btlonline.org
*
"Between The Lines" is a half-hour syndicated radio news magazine that each week features a summary of under-reported news stories & interviews with activists & journalists who offer progressive perspectives on international, national & regional political, economic & social issues. Because "Between The Lines" is independent of all publications, media networks or political parties, we are able to bring a diversity of voices to the airwaves generally ignored or marginalized by the major media. For more information on this week's topics & to check out our text archive listing topics & guests presented in previous programs visit: www.btlonline.org
*
"Between the Lines," WPKN 89.5 FM's weekly radio news magazine can be heard Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. ET; Wednesdays at 8 a.m. ET & Saturdays at 2 p.m. ET (Wednesday's show airs at 7:30 a.m. ET during fundraising months of April & October).
*
For an email subscription of "Between The Lines Weekly Summary" which features a RealAudio link to the week's program for Between The Lines, send an email to btlsummary-subscribe-AT-lists.riseup.net
*
For an email subscription of "Between The Lines Q&A" which features a RealAudio link & weekly transcript to one of the interviews featured on Between The Lines, send an email to btlqa-subscribe-AT-lists.riseup.net
*
www.btlonline.org
*
betweenthelines-AT-snet.net
*
www.squeakywheel.net
*
Distributed by Squeaky Wheel Productions
©2006 Between The Lines. All Rights Reserved.