Sires Cosponsors Immigrant Detention Reform

Great news! Congressman Albio Sires (NJ13) joined fellow NJ Representatives Holt, Payne and Rothman in supporting the Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act, HR1215. This legislation addresses the most serious flaws identified in Amnesty’s Jailed Without Justice Report:
• Extreme over reliance on detention without considering effective and less expensive alternatives.
• Lack of due process allowing those imprisoned to challenge the grounds of their detention.
• Inhumane prison conditions for those who are detained.

If your Congressman is not on the list above, please call his office and urge him to cosponsor this important bill.

Amnesty is also supporting two of Senator Robert Menendez’s bills that address these issues, S 1549 and S 1550. Wherever you live in NJ, please call Senator Lautenberg’s office and urge him to support these bills!

Amnesty is currently organizing a lobbying week (the week of November 11th) across the country to support this legislation. We are also going to be focusing on closing Guantanamo and supporting the ratification of a women’s rights treaty (CEDAW). Please go to http://www.amnestyusa.org/delegation/list.php to find out more!

November Lobby Week

During the week of November 11th, Amnesty activists across the country will be meeting with their local congressional offices to urge them to take action three of our top priorities:
• Fix the broken immigrant detention system to ensure due process and treat people humanely.
• End torture and take effective measures to ensure that it does not happen again.
• Ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Amnesty believes that it is now a key moment where grassroots pressure could help convince Congress to move forward on all three of these issues.

You can volunteer to organize a visit to your local congressional office at http://www.amnestyusa.org/delegation/leader.php?d=013&s=NJ &ICID=G0909A01.

Or, you can look for an existing delegation to take part in at http://www.amnestyusa.org/delegation/list.php?ICID=G0909A01.

Report from DC Lobbying!

Last weekend was the annual meeting for Legislative Coordinators at AI’s DC office. On Monday, I met with staff members from the offices of
· Rep. Chris Smith
· Rep. Rush Holt
· Rep. Albio Sires
· Rep. Leonard Lance
· Rep. Steve Rothman
· Rep. Bill Pascrell
· Rep. Donald Payne
· Sen. Frank Lautenberg
· Sen. Robert Menendez

One of the main issues I raised was the horrible state of immigrant detention documented in Amnesty’s Jailed without Justice report. We asked House members to support HR 1215, the Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act to:
· Ensure that detainees can challenge the grounds for their detention (They may be legal residents or even citizens, for example.)
· Consider alternatives to detention before sending accused illegal immigrants to prison.
· Create enforceable standards to ensure the humane treatment of detainees, regardless of whether they are in federal, state, or local facilities.

I am happy to report that Congressman Holt had already cosponsored this important piece of legislation! Amnesty hopes that similar legislation will soon be introduced in the Senate.

I also followed up on the national in-district lobbying campaign to establish accountability on torture. I urged members of both chambers to:
· Support and independent commission to investigate the policies that led to torture and produce recommendations to prevent it from happening again.
· Call upon Attorney General Eric Holder to launch criminal investigations of torture and prosecutions and where there is sufficient evidence.
· Write to the President calling for an end to the abuse of “state secrets” arguments to refuse Freedom of Information requests. (We are particularly interested in the CIA Inspector General’s 2004 Report.)

Naturally, it would be great if you could follow up with a call to your Congressman, as well as Senator Lautenberg and Senator Menendez!

Star-Ledger Letter on Current Accountability Campaign

The Star-Ledger published my letter (below) on Amnesty's current push for Congress to investigate human rights violations by the previous administration. Please call your Congressman and both Senators if you have not done so already!

I'll be meeting with Congressman Albio Sires on Tuesday!

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Thank you for printing the op-ed piece by Leonard Pitts Jr. criticizing the previous administration's willingness to sacrifice the honor of the nation's Constitution for the "fool's gold" of false security ("We sacrificed our honor for what?" April 5).

Pitts' comparison of the Bush administration's anti-terrorist policies to Major Frank Burns' witch hunts on the television program "M*A*S*H" was very apt. I would like to suggest another show on which to model our future: "Law & Order." Every episode involves a thorough investigation of the crime and the prosecution of those found responsible.

Amnesty International is calling upon Congress to support the creation of an independent commission to investigate abuses committed in the "war on terror." Given that Attorney General Eric Holder has stated that some of the alleged abuses during the previous administration amounted to torture, Congress should also call upon his office to investigate and punish those responsible.

-- Larry Ladutke, Weehawken

Urge Congress to Investigate Torture and Establish Accountability

This week and next week, activists across the country are meeting with their Senators and Representatives to urge them to investigate torture and human rights abuses committed during the “war on terror” and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. This is the only way that we can find out the full extent of the crimes that were committed and prevent them from happening again.

Even if you are not taking part in one of these meetings, however, you can help by calling the office of your Congressman and both of our state’s Senators. Please tell them that you would like them to:

1) Establish a non-partisan commission of distinguished Americans to examine, and provide a comprehensive report on, policies and actions related to the detention, treatment, and transfer of detainees after 9/11 and the consequences of those actions, and to make recommendations for future policy in this area.

2) Call on Attorney General Eric Holder to launch a criminal investigation that U.S. engaged in torturing detainees and to hold those responsible for such conduct accountable.

3) Introduce or support a Dear Colleague letter calling on the administration to immediately produce and publish all the relevant policy memos which argued for and established the basis for coercive interrogation, detainee treatment and policy in the last administration.

You can reach Senator Lautenberg’s office at (202) 224-3224. The number for Senator Menendez’s office is (202) 224-4744.

You can find out the name and contact information for your Representative by entering the zip code where you are registered to vote at www.house.gov.

Urge Congress to Investigate “War on Terror” Abuses!

I hope you have all had a chance to call Senator Lautenberg and Senator Menendez in support of the Tribal Law and Order Act. If not, please do so soon!

The next thing on Amnesty International’s legislative agenda is encouraging Congress to investigate the abuses that took place during the previous administration. From April 6th to the 17th, activists across the country will meet with the offices of their Senators and Representatives to once again encourage them to do their job—performing oversight of the Executive Branch and thus ensuring that our constitutional system of checks and balances works!

We have planned this action to coincide with a congressional recess, a time in which Members of Congress are likely to be back in their home districts. That means that there is a good chance that you can meet with your Senator and/or Representative in person without having to travel to Washington!

You can sign up to lead a delegation . If you are approved, Amnesty will provide materials, online training, and a conference call to help you prepare yourself and train other members of your delegation.

You can also look for an existing delegation to join .

We don’t expect governments in countries like China and Iran to seriously investigate themselves and determine who is responsible for human rights violations. In democracy such as the United States, however, we should accept nothing less.

Urge the Senate to Investigate Abuses Under the Previous Administration

As you know, a lot has already been accomplished during the 100 Days of Action to urge the new administration to undue the damage to human rights, the U.S. Constitution, and the rule of law in the name of the “war on terror.” President Obama has ordered Guantanamo closed, banned torture, and ended the “extraordinary rendition” of prisoners to nations where they face abuse.

Our government must do more, however, and that means that WE must do more. This week, February 17-20, activists across the country are calling to urge the Senate to support the creation of a nonpartisan commission to investigate the torture and other forms of inhumane treatment prisoners that took during the previous administration. Yes, President Obama has taken some very important steps. We can not be sure, however, that these things will not happen again unless we have a full accounting of what actually happened.

The Bush Administration resisted every effort by Amnesty International and its allies to investigate these abuses through the Freedom of Information Act. Unfortunately, this is one area where the Obama Administration has not taken decisive action to restore our nation’s credibility and help prevent a repeat of these horrible mistakes.

Please call Senator Lautenberg and Senator Menendez and urge them to support the creation of a nonpartisan commission to investigate the abuses committed in the “war on terror.” Amnesty will even connect you to their offices if you enter your phone number at http://www.amnestyusa.org/stoptorture/test.php?st=NJ. You may also contact Senator Lautenberg’s office directly at (202) 224-3224 and Senator Menendez’s office at (202) 224-4744.

Update on Guantanamo Lobbying

So far, activists in New Jersey are organizing meetings with nine of the state’s fifteen members of Congress.

You can join the following meetings that are being organized by visiting http://www.amnestyusa.org/delegation/list.php:

Congressman LoBiondo
Senator Menendez
Congressman Jim Saxton
Congressman Pallone
Congressman Rush Holt
Congressman Chris Smith
Congressman Garrett
Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen
Congressman Albio Sires

Don’t see your member of Congress on the list? There is still time to volunteer to organize a meeting in your district by filling out the application at http://www.amnestyusa.org/delegation/leader.php!

Tell Congress to FINALLY Close Guantanamo!

Once again, the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay remain operating as we mark Torture Victims and Survivors Month this June. Hundreds of people remain in the prison without formal charges. Those who have been charged face the prospect of an unfair trial at the hands of a “military commission” that lacks independence and is allowed to use evidence that would be thrown out in a normal court of law as tainted by torture and other abusive interrogation methods.

June also marks the beginning of Congress’s annual Independence Day recess. Many our elected officials will return home from Washington during this break, creating an excellent opportunity to for us to meet with them in person and remind them that it is long since time to close the detention facilities at Guantanamo. All prisoners should either be charged with a recognized criminal offense or released. Those that are charged should be given fair trials in civilian courts.

You can help out by volunteering to organize a meeting with one of our members of the House or the Senate. You can also join an existing delegation.

Lobbying Congress is easy and effective, especially with the materials and training that Amnesty provides. As the Legislative Coordinator for New Jersey, I will also be available to assist delegation leaders plan their visits.

AI Group Cosponsors Army Doctor Talk Against Torture in Princeton 6/23

I wanted to make sure you saw this upcoming event by AI LG 67 in Princeton. It is taking place right before activists across the country will meet with the congressmen and senators to urge them to support legislation to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.



Monday, June 23 7:30 p.m. co-sponsored by Amnesty International Local Group 67Nassau Presbyterian Church61 Nassau Streetright across from Palmer Square)Princeton, NJ
To mark Torture Awareness Month, the Princeton Area Anti-Torture Advocacy Group is hosting a talk at 7:30 pm on Monday, June 23, at Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street in Princeton (right across from Palmer Square). Torture Awareness Month commemorates the date, June 26, 1987, when the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment went into effect.
The speaker is Brigadier General (Ret) Stephen Xenakis, MD. His talk is entitled No More Torture: Defending Against Global Risk.
Dr. Xenakis served 28 years in the US Army as a medical corps officer. He is on the Board of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT), is an advisor to Physicians for Human Rights, and a contributor to Human Rights First. Dr. Xenakis is a member of Rock Spring United Church of Christ in Arlington, VA, and a Princeton University alumnus.
Dr. Xenakis has held a wide variety of military assignments -- as a clinical psychiatrist, staff officer, and senior commander including Commanding General of the Southeast Army Regional Medical Command. Dr. Xenakis has spoken and written widely on medical ethics, military medicine, and the treatment of detainees. He has an active clinical and consulting practice, and currently is working on the clinical applications of quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) to brain injury and other neurobehavioral conditions.
Dr. Xenakis has written: "Until now, perhaps the most well-known image of the American military doctor was Hawkeye Pierce of M.A.S.H., who protected his patients from dubious orders from his superiors, even when his patients were enemy soldiers. Now, the world's impression of the American military doctor is something quite different. The International Committee of the Red Cross has accused American military physicians of participating in actions that are 'tantamount to torture."
The Princeton Area Anti-Torture Advocacy Group is affiliated with NRCAT, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C. The NRCAT slogan "Torture is a Moral Issue" will be displayed on banners by a number of area churches in June. NRCAT's Founding Conference at Princeton Theological Seminary in January 2006 was organized by the Coalition for Peace Action and the Rev. Dr. George Hunsinger of the Seminary faculty. Nassau Church, in which Dr. Hunsinger is an active participant, became a participating member of NRCAT in March 2007.
Co-sponsors of the presentation include: Nassau Presbyterian Church-Princeton; Coalition for Peace Action; ACLU-NJ; Amnesty International-Mercer County Group; Mercer County Coalition for Civil Liberties; New Brunswick Presbytery, PC (USA)-Social Witness Committee; Princeton Clergy Association; Princeton Friends Meeting-Peace & Social Concerns Committee; Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton; Westminster Presbyterian Church-Trenton; Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church-Princeton.
The presentation is a free public event. It will be followed by a question and answer period, as well as light refreshments.

Report from Lobby Day

The post-AGM lobby day went really well yesterday! Do to an oversight, the DC office had not arranged a meeting with Congressman Chris Smith’s office. As you probably know, Smith has been a very important leader on gender-based violence and human rights in general. It was therefore very important to contact him about the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) yesterday. I was therefore very excited to be able arrange a meeting first thing Monday morning. A senior staff member even decided to take part!

Unfortunately, however, I wound up missing the meeting that Amnesty’s staff had scheduled with Congressman LoBiondo’s office. Two volunteers from the lobbying training sessions at the AGM were able to be there, though, and I have heard that the meeting went well. I also made a point of going to the office to apologize in person for not being able to attend.

I also had meetings with the offices of Albio Sires and Rush Holt. In general, all three of the offices that I met with were very positive about IVAWA and the congressional letter regarding the rape of Barbara Italia Mendez by Mexican police agents. Naturally, Smith’s office wants to make sure that IVAWA does not promote abortion. I told the Smith staff members I met with that Amnesty had made sure that the legislation does not deal with this issue. Understandably, however, they need to read the text of the bill once it is introduced.

The offices were also very interested in the northeast region’s special focus case, Fathi el-Jahmi of Libya.

It looks like our next big legislative push will be to press for closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay. We are going to arrange some district meetings during the congressional recess in early July. This will be a great opportunity to actually meet with our representatives themselves! Please keep an eye out for further details. It would be great if student groups could try to stay in contact about this after classes end. Students can also check http://njailegaction.blogspot.com for more information!

Upcoming Torture Vote in the Senate

In December, activists across the country told the House of Representatives to approve legislation that would ensure that all U.S. agencies and personnel are bound by the same rules regarding torture and interrogation. It makes it clear that even the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is bound by the standards set forth in the Army Field Manual.

The next step is a senate vote on the same conference report. Please call the offices of Senator Lautenberg (202-224-3224) and Senator Menendez (202-224-4744) and urge them to support section 327 of the Conference Report on the Intelligence Authorization Act (H.R. 2082).” Doing so will help

·Ensure the accuracy of intelligence because information obtained through torture and other inhumane methods is inherently unreliable

·Strengthen U.S. efforts to stop terrorism by improving relations with our allies

·Protect U.S. citizens, including servicemen, by supporting international law and thus removing any cynical justification for violating their rights

·Decrease support for anti-Americanism by improving our nation’s image

·Restore the America that We Believe—the nation governed by the U.S. Constitution

Two Victories Today!

Here in New Jersey, the State Assembly finally approved legislation abolishing capital punishment! Given that Governor Corzine has committed to signing this bill, it is sure to become law. As you know, Amnesty and our allies have worked very hard on this issue for many years. Now, people around the United States can build upon our state’s momentum. Thanks to everyone who has helped out! (The Star-Ledger published a letter I wrote on the subject in this morning edition, by the way.)

On Capitol Hill, the House of Representatives voted to support the conference version of Intelligence Authorization bill with section 327, which would clarify that the CIA and other agencies are bound by the same prohibitions against torture and inhumane treatment that apply to the military. The Senate has already approved an earlier version of this legislation, so chances are good that it will vote in favor of the legislation prepared by the conference committee.

Once again, thanks to everyone who has helped out with these important initiatives!

Urgent: Congress to Vote on CIA Interrogation Rules

Please urge your member of the House of Representatives to support Section 327 of the Intelligence Authorization Bill. We are expecting a vote on this legislation TOMORROW, DECEMBER 12th. It would require the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other government institutions to observe the same interrogation rules as the U.S. military. This is especially important given the recent revelations that the CIA has destroyed video evidence of waterboarding (simulated drowning) and other so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques” that constitute torture and/or cruel and inhumane treatment.

You can find out the name and contact information for your representative by entering your zipcode at www.house.gov. Please call as early as possible tomorrow (Wednesday) morning!

Thanks,
Larry Ladutke
NJ Legislative Coordinator, AIUSA

Help Launch 86 Days of Action Against Torture! Rally in Princeton This Saturday!

This Wednesday marks the first anniversary of the Military Commissions Act, which denies the fundamental right of habeas corpus to anyone the government says is an “unlawful enemy combatant.” It further undermines the fundamental right to due process by allowing the use of so-called “evidence” obtained through physically and psychological abusive techniques—information that is clearly unreliable.

Fortunately, Wednesday also marks the beginning of Amnesty’s 86 Days of Act against torture, which runs until the sixth anniversary of the transfer of prisoners to Guantánamo. I will be speaking in at a rally in Princeton this Saturday, October 20th, at 12 noon. Rev. Robert Moore of the NJ Coalition for Peace Action will also be speaking I hope you can join us at Princeton Borough Hall!

As you may recall, Amnesty took part in a national day of action to support legislation to correct the damage done by the Military Commissions Act. We have seen some important progress. The Senate came very close to attaching an amendment restoring habeas corpus to the Defense Authorization Bill, but failed to overcome a filibuster. Congress has also forced the Bush Administration to release documents proving that, despite its claims to the contrary, our government has continued to physically and psychologically abuse prisoners with stress positions, sleep deprivation, and waterboarding (simulated drowning).

Please check back for information about hosting a screening of the new docmumentary, The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib.

Habeas Corpus Letter in 7/9/2007 Star-Ledger

The Star-Ledger finally published my letter about the June 26th Day of Action to Restore Habeas Corpus.

Unfortunately, the online version is not formatted well. Look for “Restoring habeas corpus” on the same line as the signature for the letter from James Baukney of Pennsauken. It is above the letter (clearly) titled “Polls might help.”

Media Coverage of Bloomfield Demonstration on Habeas Corpus

In addition to everyone who turned out to rally and lobby in support of habeas corpus in Washington, activists across the country took part in the day of action in their home communities. It is great to see that the Star Ledger covered the demonstration organized by the Amnesty members from Bloomfield High School and their local allies! You can read more about it at Young local activists stand up for global justice.

Thanks again to everyone who has helped out—and please keep up the pressure!

Report from the Day of Action in DC

Yesterday, I joined roughly four thousand activists from all fifty states to tell Congress to restore the right to habeas corpus and undo other damage created by the Military Commissions Act of 2006. I rode down in a packed bus that left New York City around 6:00 a.m. We arrived in DC shortly before 11:00. The rally in the Upper Senate Park went very well. It was especially great to hear from Members of Congress who have taken the lead by introducing the legislation we were there to support. Sister Dianna Ortiz’s testimony as a torture survivor was both moving and helpful in preparing for the lobbying visits later in the day. And, as usual, it was great to hear from Amnesty’s Executive Director, Larry Cox.

Following the rally, everyone broke into state delegations to coordinate the afternoon of lobbying. Those of us from New Jersey all met with Senator Robert Menendez at 2:00. There were so many constituents involved that the meeting had to take place on the steps of the Capitol! The Senator also discussed ideas he has for advancing S 576 (The Restoring the Constitution Act).

As you may recall, Amnesty was especially eager to meet with Congressman Robert Andrews’s office. Unfortunately, however, there was no meeting scheduled. I stopped by his office with one of his constituents and dropped off some relevant AI literature, but the staff person we needed to speak with was not there.

I then joined a meeting with Congressman Rush Holt’s office that was already in progress. As you may know, Holt had already agreed to cosponsor HR 1415 and HR 1416. The room was packed with his grateful constituents. They were also interested in learning more about Holt’s new role heading an intelligence panel on the Appropriations Committee. While Congressman Holt was tied up during most of the meeting, he was able to stop by and briefly speak with us.

At 3:30, I met with my own Representative, Albio Sires. The meeting went well. He indicated that he shared our concerns and promised to look into the legislation.

My final meeting of the day was with Congressman Scott Garrett’s office. Unfortunately, a change of schedule prevented Garrett from joining us himself. I joined several of Garrett’s constituents a large group of high school students from Elizabeth in a meeting with the appropriate member of his staff. She informed us that Garrett believes that he did was correct to vote for the Military Commissions Act, but would listen to our concerns.

Thanks to everyone who made it to DC yesterday! Your participation showed our state’s congressional delegation just how important habeas corpus and other human rights issues are to the people of New Jersey.

Those of you who were unable to come yesterday can still help out! Please call your Representative and urge him to cosponsor the Restoring the Constitution Act (HR 1415) and the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act (HR 1416)! If possible, try to set up an in-district meeting with him during the upcoming 4th of July holiday recess—and please feel free to contact me at lladutke@yahoo.com for help!

National Week of Action to Restore Habeas Corpus!

The national week of action to restore Habeas Corpus is here! Activists across the country are meeting with their House and Senator offices to urge them to support legislation restoring the right to habeas corpus and correcting other provisions of the Military Commissions Act that undermine the rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. On Tuesday, Amnesty will help bring activists down to Washington, DC for a demonstration and day of lobbying!

These efforts will be even more successful, of course, if activists such as you call Congess and ask them to support HR 1416 (The Restoring Habeas Corpus Act) and HR 1415 (The Restoring the Constitution Act). You can find out the name and contact information of your House member by entering your zip code at www.house.gov.

Congressmen Rush Holt and Steve Rothman are the only two New Jersey House members who have already signed on. We especially need calls from Congressman Robert Andrews’s constituents!

You can refer to the recent Associated Press Article, “Army Officer Says Gitmo Panels Flawed,” which gives Lt. Colonel Stephen Abraham’s inside account of the need to reestablish the judicial oversight built into our nation’s system of checks and balances.

Please also remind your congressional office that Tuesday is the International Torture Victims and Survivors Day. Without the right to habeas corpus, prisoners are unable to challenge the conditions of their detention, even if they amount to torture. The Military Commissions Act also allows the use of unreliable information gathered through techniques that amount to torture.

Rush Holt Joins Steven Rothman in Supporting the Restoration of Habeas Corpus!

Congressman Rush Holt [NJ-12] has become the second House member from New Jersey to support Hr 1415, the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007, and HR 1416, the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007! These two bills would reverse much of the damage created by the Military Commissions Act, including the denial of habeas corpus—the basic right to challenge one’s detention before an independent court—to non-citizens. Restoration of this right, in turn, would be a key step toward preventing further acts of torture and the other forms of cruel and inhumane treatment that have been committed at Guantanamo and other U.S.-run prisons.

It’s great to know that two of our state’s House members are already onboard this important legislation. ! If you live in either of their districts, please thank Congressmen Holt and Rothman! If you don’t, please help us convince the rest of New Jersey’s House members to join them! Amnesty is currently working with other human rights organizations for a week of mobilization in support of these bills, including rally and day of lobbying in Washington as well as meetings with local district offices. Click HERE to help out!