For Immediate Release: July 24, 2009

Washington, DC Just one day after it released a report finding that U.S. federal courts are the best venue for handling complex terrorism cases, Human Rights First is urging the House Armed Services Committee to abandon the use of military commissions to prosecute suspected terrorists, warning that the system is at odds with the Constitution, the laws of war, and American values. The call came today as the full committee conducted a hearing on reforming the Military Commissions Act of 2006 and detainee policy.

“Politicians have spent eight years trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to prosecuting terrorism and that approach has failed miserably. This report makes clear that the best way forward is to rely on our existing legal system. Its track record of successfully prosecuting criminals, safeguarding national security, and addressing the complex legal issues of our time is unmatched,” said Elisa Massimino, Human Rights First’s Chief Executive Officer.

Yesterday, Human Rights First released In Pursuit of Justice: Prosecuting Terrorism Cases in the Federal Court – 2009 Update and Recent Developments, a report that challenges the arguments of those who favor new, un-tested legal regimes for terrorism suspects such as