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January, 21 2005
HARMAN: CONGRESS MUST ACT TO SHAPE POLICY ON INTERROGATIONS
AND DETAINEES
-Gonzales's written testimony exposes gaps in U.S. law
WASHINGTON D.C- U.S. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice), Ranking Member of the
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and a Member of the
Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding
the issue of U.S. interrogation and detainee policy:
"President Bush's inaugural address rightly focused on the importance
of promoting liberty and respect for human dignity. Yet those principles
will be undermined unless the United States addresses the serious matter
of how we detain and interrogate individuals in our custody.
"Numerous cases over the past year have underscored the lack of
clear policy on detainees and interrogations. This week, in his written
answers to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General-nominee Alberto
R. Gonzales stated that intelligence officials acting abroad were not
required to abide by Constitutional provisions banning cruel, unusual,
and inhumane treatment. If his interpretation is correct, it is evidence
of a major gap in U.S. law.
"The abuses at Abu Ghraib and reported abuses at Guantanamo and
elsewhere, along with Gonzales's confusing positions, all point to the
urgent need for Congress to act. Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress
has the responsibility to 'make Rules concerning Captures on Land and
Water.' (Art. I, Sec. 8).
"In the coming days, Members of the House Permanent Select Committee
on Intelligence will explore legislation to address U.S. policy on interrogation
and detainees. This bipartisan task is urgent if we are truly going to
champion human dignity throughout the world."
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