NJ Senators Among Those Voting Against Our Constitutional Rights

Amnesty International is very concerned about the passage of the Military Commission Act in the Senate. Given that the House has already passed similar legislation, it appears that our government will establish “legal” proceedings that undermine the core values of our Constitution, including the right to habeas corpus and protection against being tortured into “confessing.”

Today was especially sad for the state of New Jersey. Senators Lautenberg and Menendez—who are normally known for their strong support of civil liberties—voted in favor of this dangerous legislation. They did so even after the amendment that would have protected habeas corpus was rejected. This comes after New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith—also known for his leadership on human rights—voted in favor the corresponding House bill.

Once again, Amnesty is very grateful to the brave members of both chambers of Congress who were willing to put the national interest of defending the Constitution and human rights above their personal interests in the upcoming elections. They include NJ Representatives Pallone, Pascrell, Rothman, Payne, and Holt.

Larry Ladutke
NJ Legislative Coordinator, AIUSA

Online Actions on Military Commissions and Darfur

As you have probably heard, the House of Representatives has passed legislation creating military commissions that would set incredibly dangerous precedents in our country, including the use of hearsay and evidence obtained through torture (see below)! We therefore need to make sure that similar legislation does not make it through the Senate. Amnesty has set up an online action to make it easy for you to help! You can also reach Senator Lautenberg’s office at (202) 224-3224 and Senator Menendez’s at (202) 224-4744.

Amnesty has also set up a website to send messages to Congress in support of the “dear colleague” letter calling on the Arab League to persuade the Sudanese government to accept UN peacekeepers in Darfur. So far, Congressman Rush Holt has signed on to the letter being circulated by New Jersey’s Congressman Chris Smith. Keep those phone calls and online actions coming to get the rest of our state’s representatives and senators onboard!

Larry Ladutke
NJ Legislative Coordinator

How OUR Representatives Voted on Unfair Military Commissions

NJ Congressmen who voted to uphold human rights by opposing the military commissions legislation:

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06)
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-08)
Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ-09)
Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ-10)
Rep. Rush D. Holt (D-NJ-12)

NJ Congressmen who voted in favor of the military commission bill undermining human rights:

Rep. Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ-01)
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ-02)
Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ-03)
Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ-04)
Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-05)
Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-NJ-07)
Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R-NJ-11)

Call Congress to Help Protect Civilians in Darfur!

The week of lobbying on Darfur officially begins tomorrow (Monday, September 25, 2006). Amnesty activists will be visiting close to two hundred congressional offices across the country to urge their Members of Congress to sign a letter urging the Arab League to persuade the Sudanese government to stop the killing and accept the deployment of UN Peacekeepers.

You can help by calling your congressman, as well as both of New Jersey’s senators. If you don’t know who represents your congressional district, please visit the House website. You can also check the map of congressional districts in our state. Here are the numbers to call for each New Jersey Congressman:

Andrews (District 1) 202-225-6501
LoBiondo (District 2) 202-225-6572
Saxton (District 3) 202-225-4765
Smith (District 4) 202-225-3765 (Thank Smith for circulating this letter!)
Garrett (District 5) 202-225-4465
Pallone (District 6) 202-225-4671
Ferguson (District 7) 202-225-5361
Pascrell (District 8) 202-225-5751
Rothman (District 9) 202-225-5061
Payne (District 10) 202-225-2436
Frelinghuysen (District 11) 202-225-5034
Holt (District 12) 202-225-5801

Please note that District 13 is still vacant. Hudson County residents should still call the senate offices, though!

Everyone in New Jersey should call Senator Lautenberg (202-224-3224) and Senator Menendez (202-224-4744).

Talking points:
· I am concerned about the recent escalation of violence in Darfur. Over 200,000 civilians have already been killed. Millions more have been displaced, and rape has been widely used as a weapon.
· The African Union peacekeepers have been overburdened and underfunded. Their mandate is now set to expire at the end of 2006. It is crucial that UN forces be allowed into the region to take over their role protecting the civilian population from all sides of the conflict. This could literally save hundreds of thousands of lives.
· The Sudanese government has refused to accept UN peacekeepers. Diplomatic pressure from the Arab League could help convince President Omar Hassan El-Bashir to allow them to take over for the African Union troops.
· Members of Congress have written sign-on letters urging the Arab League to take action. This is a truly bipartisan effort. Please add your signature!
· Members of the House of Representatives should contact the offices of Congressman Chris Smith (Republican, New Jersey, 202-225-3765) or Congressman Tom Lantos (Democrat, California, 202-225-3531).
· Senators should contact the office of Senator Dianne Feinstein (Democratic, California, 202-224-3841) or Senator Bill Frist (Republican, Tennessee, 202-2243344).

If you get a chance, please send me a message at LLadutke@yahoo.com after you make your calls. Let me know which offices you called and how they responded.

Thank you,
Larry Ladutke
NJ Legislative Coordinator

EMERGENCY CALLS TO OPPOSE UNFAIR TRIALS

I know that many of you are focused on our upcoming week of lobbying on Darfur. Unfortunately, however, an emergency situation has arisen that needs our attention RIGHT NOW.

The Bush Administration is attempting to get around Supreme Court recent rulings by having Congress pass legislation authorizing “military tribunals” for so-called “enemy combatants.” These tribunals, in turn, would be able to convict people on the basis of evidence that their lawyers haven’t seen. They would also allow evidence obtained through torture and protect officials who have committed torture. They would also remove the right to challenge one’s detention through habeas corpus appeals.

This legislation is so bad that moderate Republicans such as Senator McCain are refusing to go along. Unfortunately, however, the alternative legislation they are offering also undermines basic human rights—just not as much as the administration's bill.

Please contact your representative and BOTH of our senators to urge them to vote against ANY proposal that would:

· Authorize unfair trials that would allow the accused to be convicted on the basis of secret evidence;
· Allow for the use of interrogation techniques that amount to torture or ill-treatment;
· Undermine the fundamental right of judicial review through habeas corpus proceedings for anyone in detention;
· Codify a broad definition of "unlawful enemy combatant" that would grant expansive power to the Executive to detain people;
· Establish retroactive immunity for individuals who may have committed torture and other war crimes.

If you need to be brief, you can tell your elected officials, “By supporting Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, the Supreme Court has upheld international law calling for fair trials and prohibiting torture and other cruel and degrading treatment. I urge the Senator to maintain this ruling by rejecting any proposals that would weaken the Geneva Conventions, allowing for unfair trials and ill-treatment of people in detention.”

This week, you can call your congressional offices toll free at 1-800-AMNESTY. This will patch you through to the congressional switchboard, so you will need to know which office you want to speak with. Everyone in New Jersey should speak with the offices of Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Robert Menendez. If you don’t know who your Congressman is, please enter your zip code at http://www.house.gov/.

You can dial Senator Lautenberg’s office directly at (202) 224-3224. Senator Menendez’s office is at (202) 224-4744. You can find your congressman’s website and phone number by entering your zip code at http://www.house.gov/.

Thanks again for all of the work that everyone is doing on Darfur. Please, however, take a few minutes to help protect human rights in our own country!

Larry Ladutke
NJ Legislative Coordinator, AIUSA

Please Thank Rep. Smith for his speech at the Save Darfur Rally!

Dear Amnesty Activists,

As you know, Save Darfur rallies took place around the world today. I was fortunate enough to attend the demonstration in Central Park.

The people of New Jersey were represented by Congressman Christopher Smith, who gave a powerful speech calling on governments around the world—including ours, of course—to put pressure on Sudan to stop the violence and accept UN peacekeepers. Smith will also be holding a hearing about the crisis in Darfur on Capitol Hill this Wednesday. As the Legislative Coordinator for our state, I encourage you to contact his office to express our gratitude for his leadership. His DC office is at (202) 224- 225-3765. You can reach his district offices at (609) 585-7878 or (732) 350-2300.

It would also be great if you could publicly thank Smith by writing a letter to the editor!

Thanks,
Larry Ladutke
NJ Legislative Coordinator

September 13th Hearings on the Death Penalty in New Jersey

As you may know, Amnesty has worked with New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty on the campaign that led to a moratorium on capital punishment in our state. Please see their announcement about upcoming hearings on the issue below.

Larry Ladutke,
NJ Legislative Coordiantor, AIUSAPaxCF@aol.com wrote:

Friends,

This email contains information on the second public hearing of the New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission, scheduled for this coming Wednesday, Sept 13. In July, more than 100 NJADP members turned out for the first public hearing of the Commission and we would like to increase that number! Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this historic hearing.

This email also includes information on a very special and timely New Jersey speaking tour featuring two dynamic and inspiring speakers - Juan Melendez and Vicki Schieber.

I hope to see you next week! In peace,
Celeste

Wed., Sept. 13 at 1PM, New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission Public HearingNew Jersey State House, 125 West State Street, Trenton

Witnesses include Juan Melendez and Vicki Schieber. For more information or directions, contact Abe at abe@njadp.org or 609-278-6719.

Go directly to the hearing at 1PM or join other NJADP supporters at a member reception at the Contemporary Auditorium, 176 West State Street, directly across from the State House. Refreshments will be served after 11:30 until the start of the hearing and again after the hearing. Please RSVP for the reception by contacting Abe at abe@njadp.org or 609-278-6719.

Vicki
Schieber

Shannon Schieber was a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. But, her bright future ended on May 7, 1998 when she was brutally raped and murdered by the "Center City Rapist." Vicki and Sylvester Schieber never imagined the pain of losing a child in this horrific way, or their struggle to see Shannon's killer brought to justice in a way that would honor her memory. Come hear this courageous mother's moving story of love, faith, strength, and her journey for healing.

Juan Melendez

Juan Roberto Melendez Colon spent 17 years, eight months and one day on Florida's death row for a crime he did not commit. He was exonerated and released on January 3, 2002 after a tape recording of the real killer confessing to the crime was found hidden in state files. Come hear Juan share his personal story of suffering and struggle won over by human resilience, courage, faith in God, and hope that justice would prevail.

Celeste Fitzgerald

Director, New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

www.njadp.org