On The Front Lines
John W. Whitehead Joins with Distinguished Bipartisan Group to Release Statement on Abuse of Terrorist Suspects
Barr, Keene, Podesta Among Those Calling for Creation of Independent CommissionConstitution Project Contact: Pedro Ribeiro
202-721-5623
Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Place: Hogan & Hartson LLP
Lower Level, Litigation Center Main Conference Room
555 13th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
(PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE)
John W. Whitehead and fellow members of the Constitution Project's bipartisan blue-ribbon Liberty and Security Initiative will hold a press conference on Wednesday, May 25 to announce the release of a statement calling on the Bush administration and Congress to create a bipartisan commission, modeled after the 9/11 Commission, to investigate the issue of abuse of terrorist suspects at detention facilities.
According to Liberty and Security Initiative member John W. Whitehead, President of the Rutherford Institute, "By establishing an independent bipartisan commission to fully investigate the issue of abuse of terrorist suspects, Congress and the President have a unique opportunity to send a message to the rest of the world that the United States is committed to respecting the inherent worth and dignity of all human beings, whether they are U.S. citizens or prisoners of war." John Whitehead's remarks concerning The Constitution Project's recommendation are available here.
Liberty and Security Initiative members attending the press conference will be: Initiative co-chair David Keene, Chairman, American Conservative Union; and members Bob Barr, former Member of Congress (R-GA); Mickey Edwards, former Member of Congress (R-OK); Morton H. Halperin, Director of U.S. Advocacy, Open Society Institute; Thomas R. Pickering, former United States Ambassador and Representative to the United Nations; John Podesta, White House Chief of Staff, Clinton administration; John Shore, former Senior Advisor to Senator Patrick Leahy; and John W. Whitehead, President, Rutherford Institute. In addition to the members of the Liberty and Security Initiative, Eugene Fidell, President of the National Institute of Military Justice (NIMJ), and additional NIMJ Directors and Advisors have endorsed the Constitution Project's statement and will attend the press conference. A full list of signatories, along with the committee's full statement, will be available at the press conference and at www.constitutionproject.org.
The Constitution Project seeks to formulate bipartisan solutions to contemporary constitutional and legal issues by combining high-level scholarship and public education. It is based at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.
The Rutherford Institute is an international, nonprofit civil liberties organization committed to defending constitutional and human rights.
Related links:
Sign-up to receive The Rutherford Institute's Insider Report E-newsletter!
Sign-up to receive John W. Whitehead's Weekly Column today!
Sound Off! Tell us what you think about this news story!
Get your free copy of the Bill of Rights!
Support the Fight! Give Today!
Rutherford News Archives
Recent Victories!
The Rutherford Institute
|
